·Phased increases from 2016 onwards at professional tennis entry levels
· Ongoing analysis of weekly Pro Circuit player job opportunities
· Review of transition journey from Juniors to Pro Circuit
The ITF Board of Directors has approved an extensive programme of prize money increases for the ITF Pro Circuit following a detailed review of the ITF professional tennis structure and an extensive consultation with over 8,000 tennis stakeholders at all levels of the game. The phased introduction of increases commencing 2016 will seek to minimise the impact of prize money rises on tournament numbers and player opportunities worldwide while better rewarding players at the Pro Circuit level.
In order that the prize money increases are as effective as possible, the ITF will look to ensure that all prize money categories are geographically spread with a set number of job opportunities each week. The phasing of the prize money increases will also allow the ITF to assess the impact of the initial rises on tournament numbers and job opportunities.
"The ITF Pro Circuit is the foundation of professional tennis where the next generation of top professionals is developed thanks to the investment and support of the ITF and its National Association partners," said ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti.
"The ITF Board of Directors has taken an important step forward by increasing prize money levels at Circuit tournaments. Combined with a targeted approach to set weekly tournament numbers, these increases will have a considerable and positive effect on players at all levels of the game. At the same time, the ITF is committed to introducing changes in a phased manner, to minimise the impact on tournament numbers, especially in developing tennis nations, to ensure no nation or its talented players are priced out of professional tennis."
On the ITF Men’s Circuit, $15,000 category tournaments will be increased to $25,000 in 2016, while the lower-level $10,000 tournaments will be increased to $15,000 in 2017. Additional rises are currently planned for 2018 and will be announced in due course.
The ITF Women’s Circuit, which currently includes tournaments between $10,000 and $100,000, will see the elimination of the $15,000 category in 2016 with the view that these tournaments will offer $25,000 in prize money. In 2017 prize money levels will rise to between $15,000 and $125,000, ahead of further proposed increases in 2018.
The Pro Circuit Review also assessed various changes to the entry levels of professional tennis to ensure developing tennis nations are financially able to continue to host events in the future. These changes will continue to be reviewed in 2015 for future consideration by the ITF Board of Directors and both Tours.
About the ITF Pro Circuit
The ITF Pro Circuit provides the entry level of professional tournaments for men and women, and aids the transition from junior tennis to the senior game. In 2014, the ITF Pro Circuit featured 1,231 tournaments across 80 nations. Over 13,300 players competed for a total of $18 million prize money.
The Pro Circuit Review was commissioned in 2013 to analyse the existing structure of professional tennis below Tour level as well as the current situation for players competing at the lower levels of the professional game, including how best to improve entry onto the performance pathway, increase prize money, raise event standards and ensure nations have the best opportunity to produce world class players.
The project included a full review of all player data held from 2001-2013 and a stakeholder consultation programme that communicated with over 8,000 players, coaches, National Associations and tournament organisers responded. Following the review, joint working groups, comprising members of the ITF, ATP, WTA and national association representatives, reviewed the findings and proposed changes to the current model.
For more information, contact:
ITF Communications
Tel: +44 (0)20 8392 4625
Email: communications@itftennis.com
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