"I have consulted with my team and, in order to best prepare for London, we have made the decision that it is best not to play the week before in Milan"
Wednesday 25 October 2017 16:26, UK
Alexander Zverev has withdrawn from the inaugural Next Gen ATP Finals next month in order to focus on the ATP Finals.
The Next Gen event in Milan will feature the leading seven players of the year aged 21 and under along with a wild card entrant.
Zverev has firmly established himself as the leader of the next generation in 2017, climbing as high as number four in the rankings and winning two Masters titles.
But that form has seen him become one of six players to have booked their places at the O2 Arena in London for the ATP Finals, which take place the week after the Next Gen tournament.
In launching the new event last year, the ATP confirmed any player who qualified for both would be permitted to choose not to play in Milan, and Zverev has taken that option.
The 20-year-old said: "I have consulted with my team and, in order to best prepare for London, we have made the decision that it is best not to play the week before in Milan.
"Therefore, sadly, I will be withdrawing from the Next Gen ATP Finals. However I still plan on making an appearance at the beginning of the event to support the tournament and show my appreciation for my fans in Italy that were so supportive during my win in Rome earlier this year."
Zverev is one of two debutants so far guaranteed to play in London along with big-serving Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov.
The line-up for Milan is almost complete, with Daniil Medvedev and Hyeon Chung joining Andrey Rublev, Karen Khachanov, Denis Shapovalov, Jared Donaldson and Borna Coric.
The wild card will be awarded to the winner of a play-off among the best young Italian players for the tournament starting on November 7.
Sky Sports has all the action from the Erste Bank Open in Vienna and Swiss Indoors Basel this week before the Paris Masters.
The Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan and season-ending extravaganza World Tour Finals at London's O2 in November end another memorable year which will be covered via our website www.skysports.com/tennis with live blogs and updates as the season reaches its climax.
On the move? Head to our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkySportsTennis to join in the conversation. Who will win the World Tour Finals this year? Have your say...
