ERSA Pro Stringer Magazine Issue 8-2018 prostringer8-18 web | Page 16

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INDUSTRY NEWS
ITF Launches ITF World Tennis Tour
The ITF announced the launch of the ITF World Tennis Tour in 2019 that will serve as a player pathway
between the junior game and elite levels of professional tennis.
The launch of the tour is the culmination of a series of ITF reforms designed to support talented junior play-
ers in their progression to the senior game, and target the prize money effectively at professional tourna-
ments to enable more players to make a living. The tour will also increase the number of nations hosting
ITF tournaments in 2019, providing opportunities for more players.
The ITF World Tennis Tour forms part of a new worldwide tournament structure that has been agreed be-
tween the ITF, ATP and WTA in order to address the current challenges at entry level. Under the ITF World
Tennis Tour umbrella, tournaments will be split into the following categories:
The ITF has unveiled the ITF World Tennis Tour™ logo and sub-brands that have been created to unify the
look and feel of the ITF World Tennis Tour across over 1,600 tournaments that are expected to be staged in
2019.
The reforms followed a three-year ITF review of professional and junior tennis that included an analysis of
player and event data from 2001-13, and a survey of more than 50,000 stakeholders. They address funda-
mental issues in the existing player pathway and changing trends in tennis that include too many players
trying to compete on the professional circuit; too few players breaking even; longer playing careers at the
top of the game; and the difficulty for many talented junior players in transitioning to professional tennis.
The first phase of the reforms saw an extensive programme of prize money increases on the ITF Pro Circuit
in 2016 and 2017, with total prize money increasing by around $1.5 million.
The reforms announced today include the new tournament at entry-level - ITF World Tennis Tour 15s
category - that will be staged within a more localised circuit structure with cheaper hosting requirements
that reduce costs for players and tournament organisers. Offering ITF World Tennis Ranking points, these
tournaments will also increase opportunities for players from more countries to join the pathway and be
supported in their transition to professional tennis.
The introduction of the ITF World Tennis Ranking will ensure a consistent approach for entries into all
events, with players using their ATP/WTA ranking followed by ITF ranking.
In order that successful players in juniors, 15s and men’s 25s tournaments are able to progress more quick-
ly to the next level, there will be reserved places in higher-level tournaments for highly-ranked players on
the ITF Junior World Ranking and ITF World Tennis Ranking. This includes reserved places for ITF-ranked
players in the main draw and qualifying of ATP Challenger tournaments.
The implementation of the new ATP, WTA and ITF ranking systems will take place at the end of 2018. Any
ATP or WTA ranking points earned at $15,000 ITF Pro Circuit tournaments (as well ATP points earned in
early rounds of $25,000 Pro Circuit events) in 2018 will be converted into ITF World Tennis Ranking points.
ITF President David Haggerty said: “The ITF World Tennis Tour provides a clear and integrated pathway
designed to attract and retain the best new talent. As part of our ITF2024 strategy, it is our mission to deliv-
er for the next generation of players, and the new Tour will help address the issues of progression between
the junior and senior game, and potentially enable more professional players to make a living.”
Thomas Konigsfeldt, Chair of the ITF Men’s and Women’s Circuit Committees, said: “It is vital that we
provide opportunities for players of any nation or background to start their journey towards the top 100.
The inclusion of the 15s tournaments as part of a new Tour will allow players to take the first steps towards
becoming a future champion within a more targeted and affordable circuit structure.”
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ERSA PRO STRINGER // ISSUE 8-2018