What Is 2016 ATP World Tour Finals – Doubles

Overview

The 2016 ATP World Tour Finals – Doubles was the year-end championship for the top eight doubles teams of the ATP Tour season, held from November 14 to 20, 2016. Hosted at The O2 Arena in London, the event concluded a season-long race to determine the most consistent and successful doubles pairings.

Played on indoor hard courts, the tournament featured elite teams competing for ranking points, prize money, and prestige. As the final event of the ATP calendar, it showcased high-level teamwork, strategic play, and intense competition among the best tandems of the year.

• Eight teams qualified based on their positions in the ATP Doubles Race to London standings after the 2016 season.
• The tournament took place at The O2 Arena in London, a venue that has hosted the event since 2009.
• Play began on November 14, 2016, with the final match held on November 20, 2016.
• Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut won the title by defeating Raven Klaasen and Rajeev Ram in straight sets, 6–4, 6–4.
• The format included two round-robin groups of four teams, with the top two from each group advancing to the semifinals.

How It Works

The ATP World Tour Finals uses a unique structure to crown the year-end champions in both singles and doubles, combining round-robin play with knockout stages.

• Qualification: The top eight doubles teams in the ATP Doubles Race rankings earned the right to compete. Each team’s ranking was based on points accumulated from tournament wins and deep runs throughout 2016.
• Format: Teams were divided into two groups of four for a round-robin stage. Each team played three matches, and the top two from each group advanced to the semifinals.
• Scoring: Matches used standard best-of-three sets scoring, with a match tiebreak (first to 10 points) replacing the third set in round-robin matches.
• Venue: The O2 Arena in London has been the host since 2009, offering a 17,000-seat indoor hard court setup ideal for fast-paced doubles action.
• Prize Money: The 2016 doubles champions earned $340,000 as a team, with additional points toward year-end rankings and bonuses.
• Historical Context: Winning the ATP Finals is considered one of the most prestigious achievements in doubles tennis, second only to Grand Slam titles.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the top four doubles teams at the 2016 ATP World Tour Finals based on season performance and tournament results.

The table highlights how consistency across the season translated into qualification and performance. Herbert and Mahut’s Wimbledon win and strong season earned them the top seed, while Klaasen and Ram’s consistent semifinal runs led them to the final. The round-robin format allowed for recovery from early losses, but only the most reliable teams advanced.

Why It Matters

The 2016 ATP World Tour Finals – Doubles was significant not only for crowning champions but also for showcasing the depth and competitiveness of men’s doubles tennis.

• Winning the title solidified Herbert and Mahut as the year-end No. 1 ranked doubles team, completing a career milestone.
• The event highlighted the growing international nature of doubles, with teams from France, South Africa, USA, UK, Australia, Austria, and Turkey represented.
• For players, the Finals offered a chance to earn 1,500 ranking points for an undefeated championship run.
• The match tiebreak format in round-robin play ensured tighter scheduling and more decisive outcomes.
• Television and digital coverage reached over 150 countries, boosting visibility for doubles specialists.
• The tournament also served as a season finale that influenced player rankings, seeding for the next year, and legacy considerations.

Ultimately, the 2016 edition reinforced the importance of consistency, teamwork, and endurance in doubles tennis, setting a benchmark for future seasons.