Competitive Pathway

Pathway Changes coming August 26, 2019

This document outlines the upcoming changes which will take effect August 26, 2019

IMPORTANT ITF Press Release - May 24th, 2019

The ITF (International Tennis Federation) has today announced an agreement with the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) and the WTA(Women’s Tennis Association)to optimise the structure of men’s and women’s professional tennis. This will provide additional competitive opportunities and a clear and fair pathway for talented players.

2019 Competitive Pathway Summary

The rationale for the new professional structure for the ITF, ATP and WTA is to create an improved professional pathway that can be navigated by players who are able to compete, win and earn a living in professional tennis.

2019 Competitive Pathway Calendar

Men | Women

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

This comprehensive document aims to answer questions related to the upcoming competitive structure changes. Email us at CompetitivePathway@usta.com with any further questions.

Competitive Pathway Overview Webinar

View this webinar recording with Player Development General Manager, Martin Blackman and Senior Director of Competitive Pathway department, Megan Rose to learn about the changes coming to the professional tournament structure in 2019.

Webinar Presentation PDF

Review Competitive Pathway overview webinar presentation in PDF form.

New Terminology Explained

Beginning in 2019, The ITF WOLRD TENNIS TOUR will be the new umbrella name for all former Pro Circuit and Junior Circuit tournaments and will serve as the player pathway between the junior game & the elite levels of professional tennis.

“Pro Circuit”, “Futures”, “Transition Tour” & “Junior Circuit” will no longer be used as tournament terminology.

Under the ITF World Tennis Tour umbrella, tournaments will be split into the following categories:

Each tournament will be identifiable by gender, prize money and a host city. For example:

M25 Weston = Men’s $25,000 tournament in Weston, FL
W80 Palm Harbor = Women’s $80,000 tournament in Palm Harbor, FL
J4 Irvine = Junior Grade 4 tournament in Irvine, CA

ITF World Tennis Tour Overview - ITF

Read to find out more information on the World Tennis Tour: why change is necessary, branding, tour structure, ranking point conversion, singles acceptance, doubles acceptance and tournament organization.

ITF FAQ on World Tennis Tour

Visit the ITF website to learn more about the ITF World Tennis Tour.

FAQ: WTA Age Eligibilty Rule and Intro to the ITF Transition Tour

Starting the week of December 31, 2018, the ITF will fully repostion $15K tournaments to award ITF world ranking points rather than WTA ranking points.

2019 USTA Competitive Pathway Merit-Based Wild Cards

The USTA has undertaken an integrated and deliberate process to develop a formal system of wild card linkages in order to create developmental and progression opportunities for our best American* players.

2019 USTA Competitive Pathway Wild Card Reports

Men	Women
Orlando, FL ATP 80	Daytona Beach, FL W25
Los Angeles, CA M25	Plantation, FL W25
Columbus, OH ATP 80	Midland, MI W100
Tuscon, AZ M25	Surprise, AZ W25
Naples, FL M15	Rancho Santa Fe, CA W25
Palm Coast, FL M25	Carson, CA W15
Cleveland, OH ATP 90	Arcadia, CA W15
Weston, FL M25	Palm Harbor, FL W80
Dallas, TX ATP 110 Claremont, CA M15	Jackson, MS W25
Tucson, AZ M15	Pelham, AL W25
Bakersfield, CA M25	Dothan, AL W80
Arcadia, CA M15	Charlottesville, VA W80
Calabasas, CA M25	Osprey, FL W25
Sunrise, FL M15	Charleston, SC W100
Sarasota, FL ATP 100	Bonita Springs, FL W100
Orange Park, FL M15	Williamsburg, VA W15
Tallahassee, FL ATP 80	Naples, FL W15
Savannah, GA ATP 90	Bethany Beach, DE W25
Vero Beach, FL M25	Sumter, SC W25
Pensacola, FL M25	Wesley Chapel. FL W15
Little Rock, AR ATP 90	TBA W25
Columbus, OH ATP 80	Orlando, FL W15
Witchita, KS M25	Shreveport, LA W15
Tulsa, OK M25	Honolulu, HI W60
Orlando, FL M15	Berkley, CA W60
Rochester, NY M15	Ashland, KY W60
Pittsburgh, PA M15	Evansville, IN W25
Winnetka, IL ATP 80	Lexington, KY W60
Norman, OK M15	Ft Worth, TX W25
Iowa City, IA M25	Landisville, PA W60
Binghamton, NY ATP 80	Redding, CA W25
Champaign, IL M25	Lawrence, KS W15
Lexington, KY ATP 80	Concord, MA W100
Decatur, IL M25	Lubbock, TX W15
Aptos, CA ATP 100	Templeton, CA W60
Edwardsville, IL M25	State College, PA W15
Memphis, TN M25	Stockton, CA W60
Cary, NC ATP 80	Charleston, SC W25
Champaign, IL M15	Hilton Head, SC W25
Columbus, OH ATP 80	Norman, OK W15
Houston, TX M25	Florence, SC W25
Fayetteville, AR M15	Austin, TX W15
Tiburon, CA ATP 100	Macon, GA W80
Harlingen, TX M25	Tyler, TX W80
Stockton, CA ATP 100	Las Vegas, NV W80
Fairfield, CA ATP 100
Norman, OK M25
Fayetteville, AR M25
Charlottesville, VA ATP 80
Naples, FL M25
Knoxville, TN ATP 80
Birmingham, AL M25
Champaign, IL ATP 80
Austin, TX M15
East Lansing, MI M15
Tallahassee, FL M15

National Closed Events List

One of the new tournament categories created in 2019 is the National Closed events. There are 4 men and 4 women events throughout the year that are 128 draws and open to American players only. The winner of each event will win a wild card into a 15K main draw and the runner-up will receive a wild card into the qualifying of a 15K. The purpose of the event is to provide more introductory spots on the pathway and to provide opportunities for players who are otherwise not captured in the new restructure.

National Closed Tournament Registration Links

National Open Events List

National Open Tournament Registration Links

ITF World Tennis, WTA & ATP Rankings

Check here for most up to date rankings published by the ITF:

How to start playing Professional tournaments

The ITF World Tennis Tour provides entry level professional opportunities for players desiring to compete at the highest stages of professional tennis. As players compete, they have the opportunity to earn prize money and ranking points. Players earn ITF World Tennis Ranking points and/or in some events ATP or WTA Ranking points. As players having successful performances, they earn greater ranking points which assist players to move up to the next level of the professional tournament.

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

COMPETITIVE PATHWAY