WATCH: Elite 8 cruise down Thames to player party

The ATP World Tour Finals launch gala in London was no simple affair. The top eight players boarded a boat together to cruise down the Thames River to reach their final destination, the Cutty Sark (a 19th century British clipper ship turned museum).

Proving further that the night wasn’t normal, Stan Wawrinka recorded friend Gael Monfils as he was being interviewed by the ATP (probably for his very active Snapchat).

"I think we all get on we together during the year," Wawrinka said. "We spend so much time in every tournament. The World Tour Finals is so special, there's only eight players here."

Raonic was also in the house (or boat). After pulling out of Paris with a quadriceps tear, all anyone has been talking about is his health.

"Things are looking good," he said. "I’m trying to do the best I can prepare myself for Sunday."

The Cutty Sark ship provided an impressive backdrop for their photo-ops before the men went inside for more press. Murray was introduced as the new world No. 1, stepping up right alongside Djokovic on stage.

Along with the No. 1 award, a plethora of other trophies were handed out. Lucas Rouille won for the ATP Most Improved Player, Taylor Fritz won for ATP Star of Tomorrow and Roger Federer won the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award (for the 12th time) and his 14th-straight Fans' Favorite Award (while the Bryan brothers won the doubles Fans' Favorite nod).

That’s not all though, Marin Cilic won the ATP Humanitarian of the Year Award, Stan Wawrinka’s coach Magnus Norman earned ATP Coach of the Year, and Juan Martin del Potro won the ATP Comeback Player of the Year award.

Play in London starts on Sunday.