ATP, WTA, and ITF Announce Single Ranking System

The International Tennis Federations (ITF), Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has decided to restore and allocate ranking at lower-level pro tournaments. Allocation of ATP and WTA ranking points in the ITF circuit will optimize the ranking system. The decision will help in providing one ranking system for men’s and women’s professional tennis.

The ITF announced an agreement with the ATP and the WTA to modify the ranking structure of men’s and women’s professional tennis. This will bestow numerous opportunities to the players and will also provide a fair chance for all the talented players to reach the highest level of tennis.

The ITF released in a press announcing the following changes in the ranking system of the professional tennis players. The agreement includes the allocation of ATP and WTA ranking points at $15,000 ITF World Tennis Tour tournaments. Also, In addition to the ranking points at men’s $25,000 tournaments, as well as increased playing opportunities with 48-player qualifying singles draw. Players’ rankings will be updated with the new points allocations on 5 August 2019. Points to be applied effectively to all the tournament since August 2018.

ATP ranking points would be awarded as shown-

WTA ranking points would be awarded as shown-

Steve Simon, WTA CEO and Chairman said, “The WTA is pleased to work with the ITF in the shared goal of developing a clear structure and pathway to provide for the competitive opportunities and rewards needed for a Player to transition through the ITF World Tennis Tour in their quest to compete on the WTA Tour.”

David Haggerty, ITF President was pleased to collaborate with ATP and WTA. He said, “Collaborating further with the ATP and WTA, our goal is to ensure the professional pathway from juniors to professional tennis is fit for purpose. It is vital that players have the opportunity to play and progress and nations can afford to host events in their countries at both professional and transitional levels.”

He further added, “These additional reforms to the pathway will further strengthen the new structure introduced in 2019, that in turn will create a truly professional group of players, increase playing opportunities at all levels of the game, and help widen the number of nations hosting professional tournaments so that tennis can remain a truly global sport.”

ATP Chief, Chris Kermode was also satisfied with the structural changes in the ranking system. He said, “We are pleased to have reached this agreement with the ITF which we believe will lead to significant enhancements to the player pathway and the way in which the ITF World Tennis Tour links to the ATP Challenger Tour.”

Kermode added, “Structural reform has been necessary as we look to increase opportunities and achieve a balanced calendar for the sport. We will continue to closely monitor the latest changes to ensure that they are working as designed for the players, and for the benefit of the sport as a whole.”