I've been a bit remiss in covering the end of year events for a variety of reasons so this is a longer post with some thoughts about next year as well.
In the ATP Next Generation tournament, Alcaraz beat Korda in the final. It's been a great year for Alcaraz who looks likely to be the next big Spanish star. Of the other players, Musetti does not seem to have kicked on this year after already playing last year. Interesting to note that both Sinner and Auger Aliassime qualified but chose not to take part but to play in the Copenhagen tournament. With Sinner being an alternate for the ATP Finals, I think that made a lot of sense. For Auger Aliassime, I suspect the lure of ranking points was conclusive. I get why the Next Generation has a set up with first to 4 games winning a set, and that means no ranking points but I feel that it may lead to more players following Auger Aliassime in the future.
For the WTA Finals, Muguruza beat Kontaveit, who has been the standout of the late season, in the final. 5 of those who qualified were first time players in the Finals, mainly influenced by the cancellation last year due to Covid, and Barty not playing this year to make sure she can play the Australian Open. There's also so much movement and competitiveness in the women's rankings though. In any other year, Krejčíková's French Open win by a doubles specialist would have been the big upset, but then Raducanu won the US. The Australian will be fascinating with Barty seeking to be the first Australian woman to win it since 1977. Also will be interesting to see if Osaka returns and defends her title.
In the ATP Finals, Zverev beat Medvedev to win his second year end. Odd year for Zverev who looked mentally suspect up until the second set in the semi final in the Olympics against Djokovic, and since then has seemed a different playe, removing his double fault problem. I saw a picture of some of the contestants before the tournament and Djokovic at 6'2' looked short in comparison. There definitely is a move to players of 6'5' to 6'6' as the norm in the new generation.
The big question for next year for the men will be this the year that that new generation starts dominating slams. First up is the Australian which if Djokovic were to win would mean 21 Slams, a record, and a 10th Australian, and yet it's not even certain he will play because of vaccination rules.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/59356156There is some tennis before the end of the year with Murray and Raducanu playing in Abu Dhabi in an exhibition event which is also meant to see the return of Nadal.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/59388161Elsewhere, of course, is the sad strange story of Peng Shuai
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/59393170Finally, ATP have changed the rules on bathroom breaks
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/59376483
