Det finns naturligtvis oerhört mycket mer att göra för att förbättra villkoren – inte minst då kraftigt höjda prispengar – för spelarna på ITF-touren men mest akut var att slopa det system som infördes vid årsskiftet.
Tusentals spelare kastades ut från ATP- och WTA-rankningen.
Poängsystemet i ITF-turneringar gjordes om på ett sätt att få spelare skulle kunna ta tillbaka sin plats på ATP- eller WTA-listan.
Istället infördes en ITF World Tennis Ranking. Spelarna som hade en plats både där och på ATP- eller WTA-listan visste plötsligt varken in eller ut då det gällde tävlingsplaneringen.
Andra kunde överhuvudtaget inte tävla. De var nämligen inte kvalificerade någonstans.
Det blev snabbt ramaskri i spelarledet. Kanadensiska proffset Maria Patrascu startade ett upprop som snabbt fick 10 000 undertecknare.

Men trots det stora missnöjet och de allt kraftigare protesterna från spelare, tränare, ledare och några internationella förbund lät sig ITF inte bevekas.

”Vi ska göra en utvärdering efter säsongen”.

Så lät det fram till i går då det efterlängtade beskedet kom.
Här texten på ITF:s hemsida:

The ITF has announced an agreement with the ATP and the WTA 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.
The agreement includes the allocation of ATP and WTA ranking points at $15,000 ITF World Tennis Tour tournaments, additional ranking points at men’s $25,000 tournaments, as well as increased playing opportunities with 48-player qualifying singles draws. Players’ rankings will be updated with the new points allocations on 5 August 2019. These points will be applied retroactively to all tournaments played since August 2018.
Updated men’s and women’s ATP/WTA rankings will be used for acceptances into ITF World Tennis Tour events plus ATP Challengers and WTA 125K tournaments beginning the week of 26 August 2019.

For tournaments to increase from 32-player to 48-player Qualifying Singles Draw sizes, the integrity implications of moving from seven to eight-day events were fully discussed with the Tennis Integrity Unit.

The TIU recognise the benefits of a balanced calendar that provides additional playing opportunities, which along with other measures, will contribute to an improved integrity environment for players.

To provide continuity to players, ITF ranking points will be awarded in $15,000 and $25,000 qualifying rounds and a player’s ITF ranking will continue to be valid for acceptance purposes after ATP or WTA ranked players. Three reserved places in $15,000 tournaments for ITF top 100-ranked juniors will continue to facilitate entry into professional tennis for the best-performing players at junior level.

The ITF’s agreement with the ATP and WTA has been reached to achieve the key objectives of a clearly defined group of professional players and a structure that allows for smooth mobility.

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 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.
”These additional reforms to the pathway will further strengthen the new structure introduced in 2019, that in turn will create a true 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.”

Chris Kermode, ATP Executive Chairman and President, 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. 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.”
In summary:
– Allocation of ATP and WTA ranking points across the ITF World Tennis Tour will provide one ranking system for men’s and women’s professional tennis and a smoother transition for players who will move up the system due to their achievements on court.

• There will be three reserved places in ITF $15,000 tournaments for ITF top 100-ranked juniors; no reserved places will be offered at any other leve.

•Doubles acceptance at $15,000 tournaments is amended, to be based on a player’s singles or doubles ranking, whichever is higher, with no requirement to have been accepted into the Singles competition, and therefore opening up opportunities to more players.

Subject to consultation with National Associations and key stakeholders, a new more affordable level of development tournament is currently under review for introduction below the ITF World Tennis Tour, between $15,000 tournaments and the ITF Junior Circuit, to ensure players from as many countries as possible have the opportunity to join the player pathway.
These tournaments will offer ITF ranking points and enable all players, including those from college tennis and other pathways, to progress to professional tournaments based on results.

The ITF World Tennis Tour is a long-term project to secure the future of professional tennis. The ITF, ATP and the WTA have worked closely to deliver a comparable model for both men and women and will continue to monitor and adjust to ensure the optimal structure is provided. The ITF Board has approved these measures following consultation with the ATP and WTA, Player Representatives, and acknowledging feedback from ITF National Associations, tournaments, coaches and players.

Good to Great Journal har vid ett antal tillfällen berättat om hur spelarna drabbats av förändringarna som genomfördes vid årsskiftet. Här bara några i raden av krönikor, filmade intervjuer och artiklar:

ITF har sålt sig till privata aktörer och riskerar att få betala ett högt pris

De är två av närmare 1400 spelare som försvann från ATP-rankningen

Sam är en av tusentals spelare som drabbas på nya touren

GS om rådande kaos på ITF-touren: ”Det är för tidigt att utvärdera”

Många spelare ute i kylan. Uppror mot ITF på tenniscirkusen