PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

Pathway Changes coming August 26, 2019

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

Competitive Pathway Changes - August 2019

See attached PDF presentation that outlines the changes coming to the Competitive Pathway in August.

WEBINAR: Competitive Pathway Changes - August 2019

View recording of webinar explaining the changes coming to the Competitive Pathway in August.

Upcoming Webinars: Pathway Changes coming August 26

Wednesday, July 17 at 12 PM EST

Thursday, July 18 at 2 PM EST:  View Recording

Friday, July 19 at 11 AM EST

2019 Competitive Pathway Calendar

Men | Women

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

WTA Age Eligibility Rule

The Age Eligibility Rule (AER) is applicable in professional tennis tournaments world-wide, including all WTA tournaments and Women's ITF World Tennis Tour events that receive WTA 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.

2020 Wild Card Reports

National Open Events List

• USTA National Open Clay Court Championships - Fort Lauderdale, FL
• USTA National Open Hard Court Championships - San Diego, CA
• USTA National Open Grass Court Championships - Newport, RI
• USTA National Open Indoor Championships - Flushing, NY

ITF World Tennis, WTA & ATP Rankings

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

• ITF World Tennis Rankings - Mens' Singles
• ITF World Tennis Rankings - Mens' Doubles
• ITF World Tennis Rankings - Womens' Singles
• ITF World Tennis Rankings - Womens' Doubles
• WTA Rankings (Singles and Doubles)
• ATP Singles Rankings
• ATP Doubles Rankings

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.