Turin, Italy – Tragedy struck the ATP Finals in Turin on Monday as two spectators, aged 70 and 78, died after suffering cardiac arrest, the Italian Tennis Federation (FITP) and the ATP jointly announced Tuesday. Medical personnel responded immediatly to both incidents, which occurred at separate times during the day’s matches, and transported the individuals to a local hospital, but were unable to save their lives.
“We extend our deepest condolences on the tragic passing of two fans yesterday during the ATP Finals in Turin,” an ATP statement read. The FITP echoed the sentiment, adding that emergency medical response was provided promptly at the scene.
The first match of the day, featuring Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti and Taylor Fritz, was delayed briefly as information regarding the medical emergencies was released.
On the court, defending champion Jannik Sinner began his campaign with a dominant straight-sets victory over felix Auger-Aliassime, 7-5, 6-1, in front of a home crowd. Sinner needs to win the season-ending tournament featuring the world’s top eight players to maintain his number one ranking. Though, Carlos Alcaraz’s progress looms large; should Alcaraz reach the final, he will secure the year-end number one spot nonetheless of the outcome.
Sinner won the Turin title last year without dropping a set and has been undefeated at the event since his loss to Novak Djokovic in the 2023 final.
Currently, Sinner and Alexander zverev lead the Bjorn Borg group with one win apiece, Zverev having previously defeated Ben Shelton.The top two players from each group will advance to the semi-finals. Fritz’s win over Musetti, 6-3, 6-4, sees Musetti taking the place of Novak Djokovic, who withdrew from the tournament after claiming his 101st title in Greece.
Sinner remarked, “This is a special tournament and place for me.”