| The ITF Men’s and Women’s World Tennis Tour bounced back from the disruption caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic in 2020 with a strong 2021 season that saw almost 8,000 players compete across 759 tournaments. A total of 386 men’s and 373 women’s tournaments were held on the entry-level ITF World Tennis Tour in 2021, with 54 different countries playing host to a total of 34,038 main draw matches – including 23,542 in singles and 10,496 in doubles. |
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| Andrew Moss, Head of ITF World Tennis Tour, Strategy and Pathway said: “2021 was a challenging year, especially for players and tournament organisers, but the ITF World Tennis Tour held up remarkably well, returning to approximately 90% of the level of tournaments by the fourth quarter in 2021, and helping to deliver talented players to the ATP and WTA level. Although the Covid-19 environment may remain a challenge well into 2022, our objective will remain developing a stronger pathway by increasing the number of tournaments at each prize money level, and with a special focus on growing the flagship Women’s $60,000, $80,000, and $100,000 category.” The ITF World Tennis Tour, central to the international player pathway, provides professional opportunities for players transitioning from the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors to the elite levels of professional tennis. At the end of 2021, 97 of the WTA Top 100, and all of the ATP Top 100, had come through the ITF Player Pathway, while 83 of the WTA Top 100 and 80 of the ATP Top 100 had previously been in the ITF Juniors Top 100. Of the players who ended the 2021 season in the ATP and WTA Top 300, 104 had made a rankings jump of 100 places or more, aided in varying degrees by their performances on the ITF World Tennis Tour. One of the best ITF World Tennis Tour events is held annually in Vero Beach, Florida – the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships. More information for that event can be found at www.TennisVeroBeach.com |
