ITF revives ranking points for entry-level tournaments

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has, in collaboration with the ATP and WTA, revived the ATP and WTA ranking points for entry-level tournaments in the $15,000 and $25,000 events.

Representational image: The ITF ranking points will be awarded in the qualifying rounds of the $15,000 and $25,000 events, too, to ensure continuity.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has, in collaboration with the ATP and WTA, revived the ATP and WTA ranking points for entry-level tournaments in the $15,000 and $25,000 events.

In a release issued on Friday, from its headquarters in Roehampton in London, the ITF said this was aimed at “optimising the structure of men’s and women’s professional tennis” and the idea was to “provide additional competitive opportunities and a clear and fair pathway for the talented players.”

The ITF, after a long study, had restructured the World Tennis Tour earlier this season. The move faced a volley of criticism as the opportunities had dried up for players owing to shrinking qualifying draws and lack of ATP and WTA ranking points for the aspirants trying to enter the professional circuit.

August launch

Now, ranking points will be offered for $15,000 and $25,000 tournaments. There will also be 48-player qualifying draws. The revived ranking system will come into force from August 5 and will be used for acceptance into ITF, ATP and WTA $125,000 events beginning in the week of August 26 this season.

As per the new system, the $25,000 men’s event winners will get 20 ATP points, runner-up 12, semifinalists 6, quarterfinalists 3 and pre-quarterfinalists 1. It will be 10-6-4-2-1 for the $15,000 events. The WTA points will be 10-6-4-2-1 for the $15,000 events too.

The ITF ranking points will be awarded in the qualifying rounds of the $15,000 and $25,000 events, too, to ensure continuity. Three spots will be reserved for the top-100 ranked junior players ($15,000).