ITF announces professional tennis restructure

[Marius_Hancu]

Major changes are afoot in pro tennis.

This document has been already around for one year, and the implementation dates are getting closer.

Mentioned by Robbie Koenig in one of his recent broadcasts as being difficult to fathom in its consequences.

This has been referred to one year ago in the college section,
but its reach will be much wider than college, so we had better beware.

Discuss

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March 30, 2017

The ITF Board of Directors has approved a major restructuring of professional tennis at its entry level.

The reform programme of changes will include a radical reduction in the number of truly professional players and the creation of a new global ITF Transition Tour in 2019 that will provide opportunities for the next generation of talented players to enter the professional pathway.

The reform programme is in response to a three-year ITF Player Pathway 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. The review established that there are too many players trying to compete on the professional circuit; too few players are breaking even; and the age of these players is increasing. There are currently around 14,000 players competing in professional tennis events, almost half of whom do not earn any prize money.

The review also identified that it is taking longer for players to reach the top levels of the sport, and that many talented junior players experience considerable difficulty in transitioning to professional tennis.

In order to address these issues, the Board has approved the implementation in 2019 of a new ITF Transition Tour, featuring a new category of interim tournament at entry-level that will better aid the transition from junior to professional tennis and ensure a continued opportunity for players from any nation to join the player pathway. These tournaments will be held within a localised circuit structure that reduces costs and increases opportunity for players, and reduces staging costs for organisers.

Transition Tour tournaments will be created through the repositioning of the existing $15,000 (Level I) tournaments on the ITF Pro Circuit that will no longer be held as part of the Pro Circuit in 2019. Transition Tour tournaments will offer ITF Entry Points instead of ATP/WTA ranking points, with the two systems linked to ensure that the more successful players are able to use their ITF Entry Points to gain acceptance into ITF Pro Circuit tournaments.

The ITF’s proposed restructuring will radically reduce the number of professional players competing for ATP and WTA ranking points. The ITF’s extensive modelling work has led to a recommended professional player group of no more than 750 men and 750 women players. This new approach will introduce a clearer and more effective professional pathway and ensure that prize money levels at ITF Pro Circuit events are better targeted to ensure that more players can make a living from the professional game.

Players on the ITF Pro Circuit have already benefited from an extensive programme of prize money increases in 2016 and 2017 following the first part of the Player Pathway review, with total prize money increasing by around $1.5 million.

The ITF’s proposed Transition Tour will complement this new professional group, ensuring that all other players, especially the next generation of emerging talent, continue to access local playing opportunities that can lead to entry into the professional game.

The ITF will now work closely with its member nations, ATP and WTA on the implementation of the Transition Tour, including confirmation of the technical requirements, tournament schedule and new ranking point structure.

ITF President David Haggerty said: “The ITF’s Player Pathway study is the most comprehensive review of professional tennis ever undertaken and has highlighted the considerable challenges at the base of our game. Over 14,000 players competed at professional level last year which is simply too many. Radical changes are needed to address the issues of transition between the junior and professional game, playing affordability, and tournament cost.

“We have already taken an important step forward by increasing prize money levels at ITF Pro Circuit tournaments. The next step is to ensure the structure of professional tennis is fit for purpose through a targeted job opportunities approach that will create a smaller group of true professional players. At the same time it is imperative that we do not reduce the chance for players of any nation or background to start their journey towards the top 100.

"We believe that the introduction of a new entry level to the professional pathway will allow players to take the first steps towards becoming a future champion within a more targeted and affordable circuit structure. These changes will also ensure that players and their support team members can understand and measure their progress.”

The ITF Player Pathway review was undertaken to fully understand the tournament structure below Tour level. The review looked at improving the entry for players into professional tennis; increasing prize money and the ability for more players to make a living; raising event standards with a focus on integrity protection; and ensuring developing nations have the opportunity to produce world class players.

http://www.itftennis.com/news/256730.aspx

The Pro Circuit phase of the review can be found here.

The Junior Circuit phase of the review can be found here
----

 

[SLD76]

I think it's a great thing for the game

 

[NLBwell]

So, they are getting rid of opportunities to play pro tennis to give the favored players an easier time.

 

[SLD76]

So, they are getting rid of opportunities to play pro tennis to give the favored players an easier time.

I see it as more separating the wheat from the chaff

Tennis in a way is like baseball. I don't think there has even been a modern era baseball player who went right from HS school or college to being on a major league roster . All players no matter how talented have to develop their game before they play on the main stage


And given that players all need developing , there needs to always be a stable of players for them to compete against . These guys in the minors of single, double and triple a baseball may never see the inside of a major league locker room but they are necessary for player development


So to me, this move by the ITF, who also recognizes developing talented players need talent to compete against has basically made it so those players who will never reach the higher echelons of the ATP/WTA can actually make a living at doing their job, which is to help develop top level players thru competition


At the same time it's making it easier in the sense of streamlining the process of developing promising future talent


It's a win win for the tour, future top players and the everyday yeoman workaday players who provide a direct service to the ATP /WTA

 

[SLD76]

Also, the ITF is essentially saying there are too many players competing at the lower levels who probably don't need to be pro tennis players

ETA: a for example , pro baseball at all levels has quotas

They don't just let anyone with a bat and a glove compete , players are scouted, evaluated, drafted and then placed in single or double A teams to fil a pre set number of roster spots


Thin the herd and get rid of the players who have money enough to pursue a vain tennis dream yer who never go deep into a tournament or even qualify . Make room for developing youngsters while keeping room for players at that level who have shown the ability to qualify and challenge for titles and let those players earn a better living

 

[coolboarder]

There should be a leeway for any players who joins tennis at mid-20's a chance to become a pro from any tennis club. There are too many pro is just an excuse to limit players from joining and preventing them from pursuing their dream. With this newest structure, there'll be never a story like Estrella Burgos using ITF Pro circuit as springboard to his first appearance at a Major. To limit 750 men and 750 female to become a professional tennis player is wrong, imo.

To me, ITF Transition Tour should be a separate entity that is reserved for junior or College graduating to transition tour or age group on young players from 20-22 years old with a 2-year exemption where players can focus on developing their pro game making at their living without having a pressure of having results with a one-year exemption for any players ending their 2-year exemption that finished at top 50 out of 750 Transition players or accumulated enough Transition points to qualify for any Challengers Tour without having to qualifying for Challengers with two events exemption at any 250 event of their choice without having to qualifying for the year and without having to pleading for any wild-card if they are from a nation that doesn't even have any ATP 250 event. After 3 years, they are on their own and they must make a choice whether to continue their career trying their luck at any 3 current structure, Futures, Challengers or ATP World Tour level.

This would allow for players who didn't participate at ITF Transition Tour and paying their own way to any Futures event hoping to acclimating enough points to move up the rank. Some tennis players are just a late bloomer and it can happen in this sport.

 

[tacou]

Confused. First, how does this change atp/wta? This will only impact the younger players right?

More importantly, "The ITF’s extensive modelling work has led to a recommended professional player group of no more than 750 men and 750 women players."

How will this be achieved? I don't get how a transition tour reduces pro players from 14,000 to 750.

 

[tacou]

They don't just let anyone with a bat and a glove compete , players are scouted, evaluated, drafted and then placed in single or double A teams to fil a pre set number of roster spots

This is the part that is confusing me. How does a person compete in a pro event, even at the lowest levels, if they suck? Tennis is an independent sport. If you have the ability/points to enter an event, what business is it of the ITF's how far you go?

tbc I am not arguing with you, you explained the positives very well.

 

[sportmac]

So, if I'm reading this right, they're creating a new lower level local events out of at least some of the lowest Futures events, the level 1 ones.

I'm guessing that this will be the springboard for easier entry into the higher level Futures events?

It seems like it would certainly help those struggling on the bottom rung by reducing travel expenses, etc.
Would also give players an idea of their level without having to chase tournaments around the globe.
I'm unclear on how they'll implement the "localized circuit structure". Will have to wait and see the rules they apply.

On the other hand it also sounds like it won't be open to just anyone but local talent only ("localized"), which would limit ones possibilities.
Some players can struggle on the lower tiers then find their game, win or do well in a few Futures, pick up enough points to get into some Challengers and settle in to being quality journeymen and mainstays on the tour. This would appear to be limiting that possibility.

I'm also unclear on why they are concerned about the people who make no money. If they have the resources shouldn't they be able to chase their dream?

 

[sportmac]

There should be a leeway for any players who joins tennis at mid-20's a chance to become a pro from any tennis club. There are too many pro is just an excuse to limit players from joining and preventing them from pursuing their dream. With this newest structure, there'll be never a story like Estrella Burgos using ITF Pro circuit as springboard to his first appearance at a Major. To limit 750 men and 750 female to become a professional tennis player is wrong, imo.

To me, ITF Transition Tour should be a separate entity that is reserved for junior or College graduating to transition tour or age group on young players from 20-22 years old with a 2-year exemption where players can focus on developing their pro game making at their living without having a pressure of having results with a one-year exemption for any players ending their 2-year exemption that finished at top 50 out of 750 Transition players or accumulated enough Transition points to qualify for any Challengers Tour without having to qualifying for Challengers with two events exemption at any 250 event of their choice without having to qualifying for the year and without having to pleading for any wild-card if they are from a nation that doesn't even have any ATP 250 event. After 3 years, they are on their own and they must make a choice whether to continue their career trying their luck at any 3 current structure, Futures, Challengers or ATP World Tour level.

This would allow for players who didn't participate at ITF Transition Tour and paying their own way to any Futures event hoping to acclimating enough points to move up the rank. Some tennis players are just a late bloomer and it can happen in this sport.

I thought of Burgos as well (the King of Quito!). However it's possible that something more localized would have helped him sooner (again, we don't know exactly what this "localized" will be). His is the classic case of no money, no real local infrastructure. He was only able to afford to play in 5 or 6 Futures a year which really slowed his development.

 

[reaper]

I don't think they should keep pretending that there can be 750 professional players of each sex. I'm sure there can be 750 playing for money, but at least 500 of them will be running at a loss financially. They probably should set up a tour for the best (say) 60 players aged 18-22 other than those who have established themselves at tour level and pump some money in to that. They've added $1.5 million to futures prize money in the last couple of years, but split between 500 players that's $30k each, which is very little for guys who are traveling and therefore incurring expenses....or is it $15k each for 1000 players, male and female. I think much more money for challengers, a transition tour for players aged 18-22, and stop pretending the tour can really support 750 players of both sexes.

 

[van_Loederen]

^^hehehe, 750 is an ambitious goal indeed, when compared to soccer or basketball.

"The ITF’s extensive modelling work has led to a recommended professional player group of no more than 750 men and 750 women players."

How will this be achieved? I don't get how a transition tour reduces pro players from 14,000 to 750.

it's mostly just definition.
nowadays the vast majority of pros hardly deserve to be called that as they earn not enough money. after their short careers they don't have enough money.
for young players is it very hard to climb the rankings. they have to play many tournaments. that's more like a tough job than a skill based sport. young players are not yet so durable and consistent.

the number of pros won't directly be reduced. the transition tour players will just be what's called semi-pros, and they will be prevented from switching forth and back between the pro and semi-pro level.

This is the part that is confusing me. How does a person compete in a pro event, even at the lowest levels, if they suck?

that poster was posting nonsense.

This will only impact the younger players right?

it will make it easier for players that quite rapidly improve (from Futures level to Challengers level), and that's most usually the younger players.
it will harm players who nowadays play more Futures than Challengers, so the low Challenger level.

the strategy or ideology is to give better players more security (a safer job)
and "persuade" players who haven't come far at age 24 or so to change the job while they are still young.


the Transition tour is also different to the current Futures tour, which is a slightly separate topic.
->

this will be the springboard for easier entry into the higher level Futures events?

into Challenger events. there won't be Futures anymore.

It seems like it would certainly help those struggling on the bottom rung by reducing travel expenses, etc.
Would also give players an idea of their level without having to chase tournaments around the globe.
I'm unclear on how they'll implement the "localized circuit structure". Will have to wait and see the rules they apply.

well, the prize money will be 'localised' too. so in some areas there will be much less to earn.

ranking points (ITF) will be disconnected from that money issue though.

On the other hand it also sounds like it won't be open to just anyone but local talent only ("localized"), which would limit ones possibilities.

it will be open, but because of the different earning opportunities there will be less incentive to travel.

I thought of Burgos as well (the King of Quito!). However it's possible that something more localized would have helped him sooner (again, we don't know exactly what this "localized" will be). His is the classic case of no money, no real local infrastructure. He was only able to afford to play in 5 or 6 Futures a year which really slowed his development.

this problem might become smaller with the transition tour. initially there won't be more money to earn for sure, but that might change since organizing tournaments will become easier.

I'm also unclear on why they are concerned about the people who make no money. If they have the resources shouldn't they be able to chase their dream?

see my reply to poster tacou ^

 

[sportmac]

into Challenger events. there won't be Futures anymore.

That was my first thought too but on re-reading it this sounds like it's only the lower ITF's (future's), the other ones on the Pro Circuit will remain:

"Transition Tour tournaments will be created through the repositioning of the existing $15,000 (Level I) tournaments on the ITF Pro Circuit that will no longer be held as part of the Pro Circuit in 2019."

 

[Bartelby]

It seems like rather than more prize money, and the increases seem trivial, they are trying to reduce the pool of those who might win it so that fewer players share in it.

It might be the case that a little bit of anarchy at the lower end is good and the 14k competing at the professional level probably just means they turned up in a local event when eligible.

The real problem with tennis is that the ITF and national associations do all the hard work and the ATP/WTA just lick the cream off the top.

 

[van_Loederen]

That was my first thought too but on re-reading it this sounds like it's only the lower ITF's (future's), the other ones on the Pro Circuit will remain

only until 2020

 

[Chadillac]

Haggerty ruined the uspta or the usta (i forget), time for him to mess up the itf.

"The ITF’s proposed restructuring will radically reduce the number of professional players competing for ATP and WTA ranking points"

So you will need a wildcard to get get your first point now?

Really stupid idea's but expected.

 

[West Coast Ace]

Confused. First, how does this change atp/wta? This will only impact the younger players right?

More importantly, "The ITF’s extensive modelling work has led to a recommended professional player group of no more than 750 men and 750 women players."

How will this be achieved? I don't get how a transition tour reduces pro players from 14,000 to 750.

You beat me to it. The ITF is only a part of pro tennis - and that’s probably a good thing. Best known for holding players hostage - ‘want to play in the Olympics?; you have to play our silly, outdated Davis Cup a few times.’

The ITF is lucky FIFA and the IOC exist so they don’t look as bad.

 

[Bartelby]

The ATP/WTA hold players hostage as well, especially the top 30 players.

Just look at Tiriac moaning that Federer has age rights that means he is not compelled to play his tournament!

The ATP/WTA are also actually 'free riders' who benefit from a training system that they don't really contribute a lot to.

14k is just the number of people who competed somewhere, so they are redesigning the entry level to exclude such a large and open field of possible competitors.

You beat me to it. The ITF is only a part of pro tennis - and that’s probably a good thing. Best known for holding players hostage - ‘want to play in the Olympics?; you have to play our silly, outdated Davis Cup a few times.’

The ITF is lucky FIFA and the IOC exist so they don’t look as bad.

 

[sarmpas]

Confused. First, how does this change atp/wta? This will only impact the younger players right?

More importantly, "The ITF’s extensive modelling work has led to a recommended professional player group of no more than 750 men and 750 women players."

How will this be achieved? I don't get how a transition tour reduces pro players from 14,000 to 750.

I had a quick skim read of the OP. Presumably Only the top 750 world ranked players will qualify for the revised ATP tour and the rest will play in the new transition tour where the absence of the top ranked 750 players in the world will give the lesser ranked players far more realistic chances of winning tournaments and there by earn a living.

 

[Simon_the_furry]

I don't know if I agree with this or not.
I love the idea of lower-level tourneys being hosted by the ITF. However, limiting the pros to 750 men and 750 women? Really? That's practically nobody.
I say let's not limit it at all. Let's make a new tournament level, a lowest level ITF tourney for local 5.0s and 5.5s to showcase their skill and maybe give 1/4 points or 1/2 points for winners of matches, and a w/c into a higher level ITF event for the winner.
The way I see it, the goal should be a straight path up from rec level to the pros. If anything, the ITF should maybe even host 4.5 events.

 

[reaper]

I had a quick skim read of the OP. Presumably Only the top 750 world ranked players will qualify for the revised ATP tour and the rest will play in the new transition tour where the absence of the top ranked 750 players in the world will give the lesser ranked players far more realistic chances of winning tournaments and there by earn a living.

Short of winning the tournament every week, in which case you're a much better player than (say) 800 in the world the player wouldn't be making a living.

 

[Bartelby]

Futures tournaments come in two flavours: 15k and 25k events.

No one can make any living operating at this level.

They are abolishing 15k level events and introducing a transition tour.

This new tour earns you 'ghetto points' of use only to get into a Futures Event.

So they are mainly just raising the entry to a professional level to a 25k Futures tour.

Whereas now many more people are probably eligible to compete at the 15k events.

This gives the appearance of fewer professional players trying to make a living because it cuts more people out earlier.

I don't think it will make a significant difference. It's more one of those bureaucratic exercises to make the numbers look better.

 

[sarmpas]

Short of winning the tournament every week, in which case you're a much better player than (say) 800 in the world the player wouldn't be making a living.

As I said presumably I'm not close to understanding how this new proposed system will work.

 

[reaper]

As I said presumably I'm not close to understanding how this new proposed system will work.

The thing is that the difference between the 900th best player and the 1000th best player would be much smaller than between number 1 and number 100. Unless you get a player on a real developmental spurt the futures would be a tour where anyone could beat anyone else. There wouldn't be guys consistently winning tournaments I don't think. It's more likely to be a different winner each week with paltry prize money shared very widely so that it's equality of poverty.

 

[sportmac]

only until 2020

This article explains it a little more:

http://tennis.life/2018/02/01/atp-and-itf-restructure-mens-tennis/

 

[reaper]

This article explains it a little more:

http://tennis.life/2018/02/01/atp-and-itf-restructure-mens-tennis/

The article states that being a professional tennis player will now start at the Challenger Tour level rather than the ITF level (or words to that affect) and that there'll be free accommodation and increased prize money at Challenger level. That seems a step in the right direction to me. There's probably scope to pay 250 or so pros well, which is better than paying 100 well and several thousand badly.

 

[sportmac]

The article states that being a professional tennis player will now start at the Challenger Tour level rather than the ITF level (or words to that affect) and that there'll be free accommodation and increased prize money at Challenger level. That seems a step in the right direction to me. There's probably scope to pay 250 or so pros well, which is better than paying 100 well and several thousand badly.

Agree. So it looks like all of the ITF tournaments (600+ for men and some of the 500+ for women) will become transition tournaments by 2020.

The men only have 15K and 25K ITF tournaments while the women have 15, 25, 60, 80 and 100. So that's still a bit of mystery. At least it wasn't clear to me if all the women's events will also be transition tournaments.

That's unlikely though. The WTA do have 125K events which is considered the equivalent of the men's challenger series, though not nearly as many. The men have over 150 while the women have 11 125k's and bigger (more money) ITF's.

 

[Bartelby]

Given that you won't get points on the Transition Tour and then to be followed by the Futures level, then professional tennis players, aka ranking point winners, will begin at the Challenger level.

A lot of these people earning ranking points now at the Futures level were just entering for a lark or out of optimism or, in any event, not to become professionals. They now just get 'ghetto points' and so are offloaded from the system by bureaucratic fiat.

It's all not necessarily a bad idea, but they really have no idea how to get more money into the lower levels, so their strategy is to simply offload players to make fewer competitors for the little money available.

They will still be paying a lot of people badly, but those who are not seriously on a career path to the tour just got squeezed out.

The article states that being a professional tennis player will now start at the Challenger Tour level rather than the ITF level (or words to that affect) and that there'll be free accommodation and increased prize money at Challenger level. That seems a step in the right direction to me. There's probably scope to pay 250 or so pros well, which is better than paying 100 well and several thousand badly.

 

[Chadillac]

A lot of these people earning ranking points now at the Futures level were just entering for a lark or out of optimism or, in any event, not to become professionals.

This is almost sig worthy.

They were just looking for a good time, not getting a pt so they can get direct entry in the qualifing draw. You probably dont even realize there are prequalifing rounds...

 

[Bartelby]

They are local events so if a qualified local wanted to enter I presume they could up until now.

I saw Tomic getting thrashed by such a local who had no desire to be an ATP player.

So what if there are pre-qualifying rounds as no one is playing for any real money!

Most of these 14k players who earned a point or two were certainly not serious about an ATP career.

I can't see that you have a point.

This is almost sig worthy.

They were just looking for a good time, not getting a pt so they can get direct entry in the qualifing draw. You probably dont even realize there are prequalifing rounds...

 

[Chadillac]

So what if there are pre-qualifying rounds as no one is playing for any real money!

Most of these 14k players who earned a point or two were certainly not serious about an ATP career.

Im backing out of this one. Have a good one

 

[Simon_the_furry]

Im backing out of this one. Have a good one

Actually, Bartelby is probably right.
There's a great many players who played a handful of ATP matches and won a couple but never really wanted to pursue a career on the ATP tour.

 

[West Coast Ace]

Im backing out of this one. Have a good one

I’m with you.

I’ll pass on the ‘workers (and tennis players) of the world unite‘ speeches....

 

[CHillTennis]

As quoted from tennis.life:

"For players who miss time with injuries or take a break of some kind. If a player doesn’t have the ranking to get into an ATP or WTA Tour event, or even a Challenger, they will find their path to return slowed down considerably. First, they would have to earn ITF Entry points only, even if their level was superior to those toiling at that level. They would play all those matches, but still not be able to make a dent in their ATP ranking. Then they would have to use those to get into Challenger qualifying. It sounds like a lengthened slog for viable players)."

This part seems to be particularly concerning.

Most players are forced to take time off due to injuries at some point in their careers.

Pablo Andujar is a prime example of this. Two months ago his ranking was around 1,800 in the world. However, he's been winning a lot since February and his ranking is now just outside the top 150.

Based on the new rules, It appears that a player like this would first have to acquire the Transition Tour points before they would be allowed entrance into the draw of challengers and ATP tournaments.

 

[Bartelby]

The new structure in a phrase: No points for you!

 

[Bartelby]

It's a structure that seems to reveal a lot: you work hard to earn points to get on with a career and then they say you will now work hard to earn 'toy points'.

I’m with you.

I’ll pass on the ‘workers (and tennis players) of the world unite‘ speeches....

 

[van_Loederen]

As quoted from tennis.life:

"For players who miss time with injuries or take a break of some kind. If a player doesn’t have the ranking to get into an ATP or WTA Tour event, or even a Challenger, they will find their path to return slowed down considerably. First, they would have to earn ITF Entry points only, even if their level was superior to those toiling at that level. They would play all those matches, but still not be able to make a dent in their ATP ranking. Then they would have to use those to get into Challenger qualifying. It sounds like a lengthened slog for viable players)."

This part seems to be particularly concerning.

lol, that's just the words of the author. why are you misquoting? it's: "Immediate question on that, for players who miss time with injuries or take a break[...]"
never heard that Protected rankings will be abolished. and it will also be easier for strong players to climb the rankings on the transition tour.

 

[Foot_Fault]

lol, that's just the words of the author. why are you misquoting? it's: "Immediate question on that, for players who miss time with injuries or take a break[...]"
never heard that Protected rankings will be abolished. and it will also be easier for strong players to climb the rankings on the transition tour.

There are some extreme examples though. When Sevastova started her comeback a few years ago, she started right at the bottom with 10ks. Same with Rebecca Marino at the moment.

 

[van_Loederen]

There are some extreme examples though. When Sevastova started her comeback a few years ago, she started right at the bottom with 10ks. Same with Rebecca Marino at the moment.

players who use up all their PR options are usually quite severely injured and when they come back again they are much weaker anyway and it would take longer anyway. for most of such cases would a comeback through the transition tour be faster than today.

 

[ChaelAZ]

Instead of making prize money spread downward to those who really need it as they earn points, they basically just cut out a HUGE section of players to keep the money up top. I don't see this helping professional tennis in finding and promoting the best talent, but will continue to favor those that can afford to be there.

 

[coolboarder]

As quoted from tennis.life:

"For players who miss time with injuries or take a break of some kind. If a player doesn’t have the ranking to get into an ATP or WTA Tour event, or even a Challenger, they will find their path to return slowed down considerably. First, they would have to earn ITF Entry points only, even if their level was superior to those toiling at that level. They would play all those matches, but still not be able to make a dent in their ATP ranking. Then they would have to use those to get into Challenger qualifying. It sounds like a lengthened slog for viable players)."

This part seems to be particularly concerning.

Most players are forced to take time off due to injuries at some point in their careers.

Pablo Andujar is a prime example of this. Two months ago his ranking was around 1,800 in the world. However, he's been winning a lot since February and his ranking is now just outside the top 150.

Based on the new rules, It appears that a player like this would first have to acquire the Transition Tour points before they would be allowed entrance into the draw of challengers and ATP tournaments.

I agree. If I earned that promotion at ATP tour with my ranking and the injury occurs, I would have protected ranking but on my comeback, another injury struck, and months of recovery, I'd be forced back to transitional tour as my protected ranking would have expired without a chance to complete my first comeback. It is something that ATP and ITF have to fix this issue because injury is inevitable and can occur at anytime without expecting that, even on the comeback. Del Potro would be an example of this and would be forced to go through Transitional tour just to get his ranking back up longer even after his failed comeback if they sign off with the new structure. As an organization would not want to use up wild card on many comeback players, you would ideally want to use Wild Card system to any players deserving of it whether it be upcoming player or their own native player, not injured comeback player. ATP should have their own doctor and have them to sign off the protected ranking even on an second injury occurring on the comeback. Most other sports do have the injury reserved list while tennis does not have except for protected rankin but it doesn't protect for any second injury nearing the completion of protected ranking. If I have only one event left and injury struck, I'd be using up last one then it's not possible to verify my true ranking as the 52-week calendar would be up and down to zero points if I'm out longer than that and have only one event left. One good week at the last event of PR would lift me to top 50 in a worse case scenario.

 

[stringertom]

I see it as more separating the wheat from the chaff

Tennis in a way is like baseball. I don't think there has even been a modern era baseball player who went right from HS school or college to being on a major league roster . All players no matter how talented have to develop their game before they play on the main stage


And given that players all need developing , there needs to always be a stable of players for them to compete against . These guys in the minors of single, double and triple a baseball may never see the inside of a major league locker room but they are necessary for player development


So to me, this move by the ITF, who also recognizes developing talented players need talent to compete against has basically made it so those players who will never reach the higher echelons of the ATP/WTA can actually make a living at doing their job, which is to help develop top level players thru competition


At the same time it's making it easier in the sense of streamlining the process of developing promising future talent


It's a win win for the tour, future top players and the everyday yeoman workaday players who provide a direct service to the ATP /WTA

There's a long list of MLB players jumping directly from either HS or college ball to The Show including 9 future HOF inductees. Sandy Koufax (University of Cincinnati to Brooklyn Dodgers) might be the most famous but Catfish Hunter (high school to Oakland A's) and Dave Winfield (University of Minnesota to San Diego Padres) are more recent examples. Other HOFers are Harmon Killebrew, Bob Feller, George Sisler, Frankie Frisch, Mel Ott and Al Kaline.

The last such jump was in 2010 with Mike Leake going from Arizona State to the Cincinnati Reds so the practice is diminishing.

 

[Bartelby]

The real question is what are the economics of the Transition Tour. All the people they are excluding paid sizeable entrance fees and assured a reasonable local audience. They just say they are looking for partners.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Transition Tour actually ends up being something different as its highly localised structure gives it the feel of a national tennis league staffed by the next gen of the next gen.

 

[van_Loederen]

Instead of making prize money spread downward to those who really need it[...]

that has been tried long enough with the Futures tour and led to too many failed careers.
that "need" has to be seen in the bigger picture and ITF/ATP have a certain responsibility.

they basically just cut out a HUGE section of players to keep the money up top.

that's the normal way. in other pro sports it's done via contracts.
the ATP is planning something similar too btw. something like insurances or pension plans for players who played on the ATP tour long enough.

I don't see this helping professional tennis in finding and promoting the best talent

that was already explained several times and is even one main purpose of the whole change.

will continue to favor those that can afford to be there.

how that?

If I earned that promotion at ATP tour with my ranking and the injury occurs, I would have protected ranking but on my comeback, another injury struck, and months of recovery, I'd be forced back to transitional tour as my protected ranking would have expired without a chance to complete my first comeback. It is something that ATP and ITF have to fix this issue because injury is inevitable and can occur at anytime without expecting that, even on the comeback.
Del Potro would be an example of this and would be forced to go through Transitional tour just to get his ranking back up longer even after his failed comeback if they sign off with the new structure.
As an organization would not want to use up wild card on many comeback players, you would ideally want to use Wild Card system to any players deserving of it whether it be upcoming player or their own native player, not injured comeback player. ATP should have their own doctor and have them to sign off the protected ranking even on an second injury occurring on the comeback. Most other sports do have the injury reserved list while tennis does not have except for protected rankin but it doesn't protect for any second injury nearing the completion of protected ranking. If I have only one event left and injury struck, I'd be using up last one then it's not possible to verify my true ranking as the 52-week calendar would be up and down to zero points if I'm out longer than that and have only one event left. One good week at the last event of PR would lift me to top 50 in a worse case scenario.

how is the current system better in this regard?

 

[TennisBro]

However I am faaaaar from considering my 9 and a half year old son for a candidate to such a programme, I am alerted by the changes suggested. My concerns are here below

The reform programme of changes will include a radical reduction in the number of truly professional players and the creation of a new global ITF Transition Tour in 2019 that will provide opportunities for the next generation of talented players to enter the professional pathway.

Fewer players are to bring more compatible top players at the highest level then. Feels as if fewer players at the top of youth tennis are to compete with each other more often than before. This may be a good sign for the future of tennis, but it begs the question whether those fewer privileged kids are really the ones that should be chosen.

The review also identified that it is taking longer for players to reach the top levels of the sport, and that many talented junior players experience considerable difficulty in transitioning to professional tennis.

Is this why fewer players are to compete?

In order to address these issues, the Board has approved the implementation in 2019 of a new ITF Transition Tour, featuring a new category of interim tournament at entry-level that will better aid the transition from junior to professional tennis and ensure a continued opportunity for players from any nation to join the player pathway. These tournaments will be held within a localised circuit structure that reduces costs and increases opportunity for players, and reduces staging costs for organisers.

So, isolating the talents should yield results?

Transition Tour tournaments will be created through the repositioning of the existing $15,000 (Level I) tournaments on the ITF Pro Circuit that will no longer be held as part of the Pro Circuit in 2019. Transition Tour tournaments will offer ITF Entry Points instead of ATP/WTA ranking points, with the two systems linked to ensure that the more successful players are able to use their ITF Entry Points to gain acceptance into ITF Pro Circuit tournaments.

So, kids won't get their chances to earn their points into the big league but will be expected to match those big guys one day?

The ITF’s proposed restructuring will radically reduce the number of professional players competing for ATP and WTA ranking points. The ITF’s extensive modelling work has led to a recommended professional player group of no more than 750 men and 750 women players. This new approach will introduce a clearer and more effective professional pathway and ensure that prize money levels at ITF Pro Circuit events are better targeted to ensure that more players can make a living from the professional game.

Makes little sense that reducing the number of players helps identifying the best ones.

Players on the ITF Pro Circuit have already benefited from an extensive programme of prize money increases in 2016 and 2017 following the first part of the Player Pathway review, with total prize money increasing by around $1.5 million.

Well, few players may truly get more money but are they the true future champions? If those chosen ones can put more into their development to fight the top ATP/WTA competitors, then they are the ones...the progam is/will be working

The ITF’s proposed Transition Tour will complement this new professional group, ensuring that all other players, especially the next generation of emerging talent, continue to access local playing opportunities that can lead to entry into the professional game.

The "local playing opportunities" are worrying, since in some places on Earth there're not enough competitors at a high level.

The ITF will now work closely with its member nations, ATP and WTA on the implementation of the Transition Tour, including confirmation of the technical requirements, tournament schedule and new ranking point structure.

I'd like to know how the ITF is planning to work on the local tournaments and assist in the process in which kids are to play at such high levels as in other places in the world.

ITF President David Haggerty said: “The ITF’s Player Pathway study is the most comprehensive review of professional tennis ever undertaken and has highlighted the considerable challenges at the base of our game. Over 14,000 players competed at professional level last year which is simply too many. Radical changes are needed to address the issues of transition between the junior and professional game, playing affordability, and tournament cost.

As simple as it seems to cut the large number of players who cost so much. How some nations will be able to produce the top competitors when isolated remains to be seen.

“We have already taken an important step forward by increasing prize money levels at ITF Pro Circuit tournaments. The next step is to ensure the structure of professional tennis is fit for purpose through a targeted job opportunities approach that will create a smaller group of true professional players. At the same time it is imperative that we do not reduce the chance for players of any nation or background to start their journey towards the top 100.

If there is more money why not keep the talent rather than shrink and isolate it?

"We believe that the introduction of a new entry level to the professional pathway will allow players to take the first steps towards becoming a future champion within a more targeted and affordable circuit structure. These changes will also ensure that players and their support team members can understand and measure their progress.”

I believe that future champions come from larger groups rather than smaller ones and they have to be looked for around the world more than only in specific locations.

The ITF Player Pathway review was undertaken to fully understand the tournament structure below Tour level. The review looked at improving the entry for players into professional tennis; increasing prize money and the ability for more players to make a living; raising event standards with a focus on integrity protection; and ensuring developing nations have the opportunity to produce world class players.

The integrity, in my humble opinion, doesn't come by localizing events but by internationalizing them. "World class players" grow with world class competitions!

 

[reaper]

The part of this I'm unclear on is the "Transition Tour" aspect. Does this mean tournaments will be age restricted: ie places reserved for players aged say 18-21 who otherwise would struggle to make the transition from juniors to pros. Or is everyone of the 750 players flagged for the new tour considered to be in transition simply by virtue of the fact they haven't made it to ATP standard yet?

 

[van_Loederen]

ah okay, seems the description in the OP is too vague and this causes all the confusion and ridiculous assertions here.
the details are explained on the ITF website.

also, the whole news is already older. that's why i didn't notice the flaws in the OP.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

ah okay, seems the description in the OP is too vague and this causes all the confusion and ridiculous assertions here.
the details are explained on the ITF website.

also, the whole news is already older. that's why i didn't notice the flaws in the OP.

Why don't you show the links to those clarifying and/or recent docs?

 

[van_Loederen]

Why don't you show the links to those clarifying and/or recent docs?

seems all you need is linked at the bottom of the page you've linked there. you can edit the OP

 

[SLD76]

There's a long list of MLB players jumping directly from either HS or college ball to The Show including 9 future HOF inductees. Sandy Koufax (University of Cincinnati to Brooklyn Dodgers) might be the most famous but Catfish Hunter (high school to Oakland A's) and Dave Winfield (University of Minnesota to San Diego Padres) are more recent examples. Other HOFers are Harmon Killebrew, Bob Feller, George Sisler, Frankie Frisch, Mel Ott and Al Kaline.

The last such jump was in 2010 with Mike Leake going from Arizona State to the Cincinnati Reds so the practice is diminishing.

ok you listed like 10 players in 100 years of baseball history



So, my point stands