INDESIT ATP 2005 Race What is it? An easy-to-understand, simple-to-follow annual race from season start to season end. Every player starts at zero at the beginning of the year and the player who accumulates the most points by season's end is the World Number 1. How does it work? Every player, regardless of his performances in the previous year, starts with zero points. Players count 18 performances in their INDESIT ATP 2005 Race total. Players eligible to enter the Grand Slams and Tennis Masters Series events must count those events and their best five other results from the International Series events. The Tennis Masters Cup will count as an additional 19th tournament for the eight players who qualify. Why should Grand Slam and Tennis Masters Series results count no matter what? Men's tennis has become a powerful game with a considerable and rapidly growing depth of talent. No longer is it possible for a handful of players to dominate the game and the headlines. To help build rivalries and showcase the game of tennis, it is necessary for the top players to face each other on a regular basis and to do it in a clearly defined elite level of events at the top of the game. What if a player is injured and can't play? If eligible to play in one of the Grand Slam or Tennis Masters Series events, a player must count the points from these tournaments, even if it is a zero because he missed the event. Just as in Formula One and numerous other sports, if a competitor misses a race or an event, he loses his chance to earn points. Will a lengthy injury break result in a player's ranking plummeting so low he can't enter events after recovering? No. Players will still have the benefit of a protected Entry System ranking that will allow them a period of protected entry status. However, the INDESIT ATP 2005 Race total will reflect only what they have achieved on the court during the year and will not be protected. How does a player qualify for tournaments? His entry status will be determined by his standing on the ATP Entry System, a rolling 52-week calculation based on the same 18 tournament rules that apply to the INDESIT ATP 2005 Race. Why continue with a 52-week rolling system at all? To determine seedings and tournament entry status, it is not practical to use the INDESIT ATP 2005 Race. The Race, while indicating the hottest players in the game at any stage, does not necessarily indicate an overall standing in the game. This is especially valid at the start of the year when early tournament winners may well be leading the Race but are not yet established top players for the purposes of seeding and tournament entry. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How the ATP Rankings Work: Definitions Eligibility INDESIT ATP 2004 Race INDESIT ATP Entry Ranking ATP Entry Rankings - Doubles ATP Team Race Rankings FAQ DEFINITIONS 1. The INDESIT ATP 2004 Race is the mathematical method of ranking male professional tennis players on a calendar-year basis. 2. The ATP Team Race is the mathematical method of ranking men's doubles pairs on a calendar-year basis. 3. The INDESIT ATP Entry Ranking is the objective merit-based method used for determining qualification for entry and seeding in all Tournaments for both singles and doubles, except as modified for World Team Championship, World Doubles Championship and Tennis Masters Cup. 4. The INDESIT ATP 2004 Race,ATP Team Race,ATP Singles Entry Ranking and ATP Doubles Entry Ranking are run approximately 45 times per year at the ATP International Headquarters. 5. Every player who has earned INDESIT ATP Entry Ranking points in an eligible professional Tournament during the Entry Ranking period is included in the INDESIT ATP Entry Ranking. Every player or team who has earned INDESIT ATP 2004 Race or ATP Team Race points in an eligible professional Tournament during the calendar year is included in the INDESIT ATP 2004 Race or ATP Team Race of the year. 6. The Entry Ranking period is the immediate past 52 weeks, except for: *the Tennis Masters Cup, which is dropped on the Monday following the last ATP event of the following year; *Futures Series Tournaments, that are only entered into the System on the second Monday following the Tournament's week. Once entered, all Tournaments, except for the Tennis Masters Cup, remain in the System for 52 consecutive weeks. ELIGIBILITY Unless otherwise approved by the ATP, INDESIT ATP Entry Ranking points are awarded to all Tournaments or series of Tournaments that meet the following criteria (An event seeking an exception must petition the ATP in writing at least 90 days in advance of the Tournament.): 1. Prize money must be a minimum of $/ 25,000 except for Futures which shall be a minimum of $10,000 per event.Futures Tournaments must be scheduled in a minimum of three (3) consecutive weeks of $10,000 each or two consecutive weeks of $15,000 each in prize money. 2. Prize money must be paid in a manner consistent with the breakdowns approved by the ATP. 3. The ATP must receive an application requesting point recognition at least 180 days prior to the start of the Tournament, unless otherwise approved by the ATP. 4. Selection of Direct Acceptances shall be determined according to the INDESIT ATP Entry Ranking. Closing deadlines for player entries must be within a reasonable time prior to the start of the Tournament.The INDESIT ATP Entry Ranking lists utilized shall not be more than 42 days prior to the start of the Tournament. 5. The minimum size for a draw is 32 singles players and 16 doubles teams unless otherwise approved by the ATP. 6. The composition of the draws shall be consistent with the ATP Rules. 7. Tournaments are required to provide hotel accommodation consistent with ATP Rules. Unless otherwise approved by the ATP, INDESIT ATP 2004 Race points and ATP Team Race points are only awarded to Grand Slam and ATP Tournaments that meet the above criteria. INDESIT ATP 2004 RACE 1. Each player is ranked according to his total points from the four Grand Slams, the nine Tennis Masters Series Tournaments and the Tennis Masters Cup of the calendar year, and his best five results from all International Series Tournaments played in the calendar year. For every Grand Slam and Tennis Masters Series Tournament for which a player is not in the Main Draw,and was not (and, in the case of a Grand Slam, would not have been, had he and all other players entered) a Main Draw Direct Acceptance on the original Acceptance List, and never became a Main Draw Direct Acceptance, the number of his results from all International Series Tournaments played in the calendar year, that count for his ranking, is increased by one. Once a player has been accepted in the Main Draw of one of these thirteen Tournaments, as a Direct Acceptance, a Qualifier, a Special Exempt or a Lucky Loser, or having accepted a Wild Card, his result in this tournament shall count for his ranking, whether or not he participates. 2. Loser points for the rounds achieved are awarded to players in any Tournament not completed. 3. Ties. When two or more players have the same total number of points, ties shall be broken as follows: (i) the most total points from the Grand Slams, Tennis Masters Series Tournaments and Tennis Masters Cup main draws, and if still tied, then, (ii) the fewest events played, counting all missed Grand Slams, Tennis Masters Series Tournaments and Tennis Masters Cup they could have played (as described under 1. above) as if played, and if still tied, then, (iii) the highest number of points from one single Tournament, then, if needed, the second highest, and so on. 4. Points. a. Points shall be allocated based on Tournament category (Grand Slam, Tennis Masters Cup, Masters Series, International Series Gold or International Series) and, in the case of International Series, total financial commitment, as per the following table. b. Points are assigned to the losers of the round indicated. First-round losers always receive one (1) point. Any player who reaches the second round by drawing a bye and then loses shall be considered to have lost in the first round and shall receive one point. c. Players qualifying for the Main Draw through the qualifying competition shall receive qualifying points in addition to any points earned, as per the following table. d. Point table. (*)1 point only if the Main Draw is larger than 32 (International Series) or 64 (Tennis Masters Series) INDESIT ATP ENTRY RANKING 1. The INDESIT ATP Entry Ranking is based on calculating, for each player,his total points from the four Grand Slams, the nine Tennis Masters Series Tournaments and the Tennis Masters Cup of the Entry Ranking period, and his best five results from all eligible Tournaments in the Entry Ranking period. For every Grand Slam or Tennis Masters Series Tournament for which a player is not in the Main Draw, and was not (and, in the case of a Grand Slam, would not have been, had he and all other players entered) a Main Draw Direct Acceptance on the original Acceptance List, and never became a Main Draw Direct Acceptance, the number of his results from all other eligible Tournaments in the Entry Ranking period, that count for his ranking, is increased by one.Once a player is accepted in the Main Draw of one of these thirteen Tournaments, as a Direct Acceptance, a Qualifier, a Special Exempt or a Lucky Loser, or having accepted a Wild Card,his result in this Tournament shall count for his ranking, whether or not he participates. 2. Loser points for the rounds achieved are awarded to players in any Tournament not completed. 3. Ties. Ties shall be broken using the same methods as for the INDESIT ATP 2004 Race. 4. Entry Protection. a. A player may petition the CEO for an Entry Protection when he is physically injured and does not compete in any tennis event for a minimum period of six (6) months.The written petition must be received within six (6) months after his last tournament. b. The Entry Protection shall be a position in the ATP Entry Ranking, as determined by the player's average ATP Entry Ranking position during the first three (3) months of his injury. The Entry Protection shall be for entry into the main draw or qualifying competition or for special exempt consideration.The Entry Protection shall not be used for seeding purposes, Lucky Loser consideration or for entry into the Tennis Masters Cup. c. The Entry Protection shall be in effect for either the first eight (8) Tournaments that the player competes in using the Entry Protection (excluding wild cards and entries as a Direct Acceptance with his current position in the ATP Entry Ranking) or for the period up to nine (9) months beginning with the first tennis event that the player competes in, whichever occurs first. 5. Points. a. Points shall be allocated based on Tournament category (Grand Slam, Tennis Masters Cup, Tennis Masters Series, International Series Gold, International Series, Challenger Series, Futures Series or Satellite Series Circuits), total financial commitment (except for Grand Slams, Tennis Masters Cup and Tennis Masters Series) and, in the case of Challenger Series, Satellite Series Circuits and Futures Series, ATP-approved player accommodation, as per the following table. b. Points are assigned to the losers of the round indicated. Any player who reaches the second round by drawing a bye and then loses shall be considered to have lost in the first round and shall receive first round loser's points (5 for Grand Slams and all ATP events, 1 for Challengers; no point is awarded for a first-round loss in Futures). c. Players qualifying for the Main Draw through the qualifying competition shall receive qualifying points in addition to any points earned, as per the following table. d. In addition to the points allocated as per the following table, points shall be allocated to losers at Grand Slam, Tennis Masters Series and International Series Gold Tournaments qualifying events, as follows: Grand Slams: 8 points for a last round loser, 4 points for a second round loser. Tennis Masters Series: 8 points for a last round loser(*), 1 point for a first round loser. International Series Gold: 5 points for a last round loser(*), 1 point for a first round loser. (*)3 points only if the Main Draw is larger than 32 (International Series Gold) or 64 (Tennis Masters Series) e. Point Table. Any Challenger or Futures providing hospitality shall receive the points of the next highest prize money level in that category. $25,000+H Challengers receive points shown at $50,000. Monies shown for Challengers and Futures are on-site prize amounts. (*)5 points only if the Main Draw is larger than 32 (International Series) or 64 (Tennis Masters Series). f. Satellite Series Circuits In addition to the ATP Entry Ranking points awarded as per the following table, the following points shall be awarded based on the final Circuit standings. In the case of a tie, the full amount of points shall be awarded to each tied player. ATP ENTRY RANKINGS FOR DOUBLES 1. The INDESIT ATP Entry Ranking is based on calculating, for each player,his total points from his best 14 results from all eligible Tournaments, except for the World Doubles Championship played in the Entry Ranking period. 2. Loser points for the rounds achieved are awarded to players in any Tournament not completed. 3. Ties.When two or more players have the same total number of points, ties shall be broken as follows: (i) the fewest events played, and if still tied, then, (ii) the most total points from the Grand Slams and Tennis Masters Series Tournaments, and if still tied, then (iii) the highest number of points from one single tournament, then, if needed, the second highest, etc. 4. Entry Protection. The Entry Protection, as described above for the INDESIT ATP Entry Ranking for singles, applies for doubles under the same provisions. 5. Points. The provisions set forth under 5. a) b) and c) related to the INDESIT ATP Entry Ranking for Singles apply to doubles as well, the point table being similar, except that the second-round loser column becomes irrelevant, and first round losers still receive 5 points in Grand Slams and all ATP events, 1 point in Challengers and no point in Futures. ATP TEAM RACE 1. Each team is ranked according to its total points from its best 14 results from all eligible (Grand Slam and ATP only) Tournaments played in the calendar year. 2. Loser points for the rounds achieved are awarded to players in any Tournament not completed. 3. Ties. Ties between two or more teams having the same total number of points shall be broken using the same methods as for breaking ties between players in the INDESIT ATP Entry Ranking for Doubles. 4. Points. The provisions set forth under 4. a) b) and c) related to the INDESIT ATP 2004 Race apply to doubles teams as well, the point table being similar, except that the second-round loser column becomes irrelevant, all first round losers still earning 1 point. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Frequently Asked Questions Contents 1. What is the Indesit ATP Race? 2. How does the Indesit ATP Race work? 3. How are ties broken? 4. What is the ATP Entry System? 5. How does the Entry System work? 6. How are points allocated? 7. What is a protected ranking? 8. How does the ATP ATP Entry System work in doubles? 9. What is the ATP Team Race? 10. How do I become an umpire? 11. How do I get started in men's tennis? Q. What is the INDESIT ATP Race? A. The INDESIT ATP Race is the mathematical method of ranking male professional tennis players on a calendar-year basis. Q. How does the INDESIT ATP Race work? A. Each player is ranked according to his total points from the four Grand Slams, the nine ATP Masters Series Tournaments and the Tennis Masters Cup of the calendar year, and his best five results from all International Series Tournaments played in the calendar year. For every Grand Slam and Tennis Masters Series Tournament for which a player is not in the Main Draw, and was not (and, in the case of a Grand Slam, would not have been, had he and all other players entered) a Main Draw Direct Acceptance on the original Acceptance List, and never became a Main Draw Direct Acceptance, the number of his results from all International Series Tournaments played in the calendar year, that count for his ranking, is increased by one. Once a player has been accepted in the Main Draw of one of these thirteen Tournaments, as a Direct Acceptance, a Qualifier, a Special Exempt or a Lucky Loser, or having accepted a Wild Card, his result in this tournament shall count for his ranking, whether or not he participates. For INDESIT ATP Race point allocations: Click here Q. What happens if two or more players are tied? A. When two or more players have the same total number of points, ties shall be broken as follows: (i) the most total points from the Grand Slams, ATP Masters Series Tournaments and Tennis Masters Cup, and if still tied, then, (ii) the fewest events played, counting all missed Grand Slams, ATP Masters Series Tournaments and Tennis Masters Cup they could have played (as described under 1. above) as if played, and if still tied, then, (iii) the highest number of points from one single Tournament, then, if needed, the second highest, and so on. Q. What is the INDESIT ATP Entry Ranking? A. The INDESIT ATP Entry Ranking is the objective merit-based method used for determining qualification for entry and seeding in all Tournaments for both singles and doubles, except as modified for World Team Championship, World Doubles Championship and Tennis Masters Cup. The INDESIT ATP Entry Ranking period is the immediate past 52 weeks, except for: (i) the Tennis Masters Cup, which is dropped on the Monday following the last ATP event of the following year; (ii) Futures Series Tournaments, that are only entered into the System on the second Monday following the Tournament's week. Once entered, all Tournaments, except for the Tennis Masters Cup, remain in the System for 52 consecutive weeks. Q. How does the INDESIT ATP Entry Ranking work? A. The INDESIT ATP Entry Ranking is based on calculating, for each player, his total points from the four Grand Slams, the nine ATP Masters Series Tournaments and the Tennis Masters Cup of the Entry System period, and his best five results from all eligible Tournaments in the Entry System period. For every Grand Slam or ATP Masters Series Tournament for which a player is not in the Main Draw, and was not (and, in the case of a Grand Slam, would not have been, had he and all other players entered) a Main Draw Direct Acceptance on the original Acceptance List, and never became a Main Draw Direct Acceptance, the number of his results from all other eligible Tournaments in the Entry System period, that count for his ranking, is increased by one. Once a player is accepted in the Main Draw of one of these thirteen Tournaments, as a Direct Acceptance, a Qualifier, a Special Exempt or a Lucky Loser, or having accepted a Wild Card, his result in this Tournament shall count for his ranking, whether or not he participates. Q. What is a protected ranking and who is eligible? A. A player may petition the CEO for an Entry Protection when he is physically injured and does not compete in any tennis event for a minimum period of six (6) months. The written petition must be received within six (6) months after his last tournament. The Entry Protection shall be a position in the INDESIT ATP Entry Ranking, as determined by the player's average INDESIT ATP Entry System position during the first three (3) months of his injury. The Entry Protection shall be for entry into the main draw or qualifying competition or for special exempt consideration. The Entry Protection shall not be used for seeding purposes, Lucky Loser consideration or for entry into the Tennis Masters Cup. The Entry Protection shall be in effect for either the first eight (8) Tournaments that the player competes in using the Entry Protection (excluding wild cards and entries as a Direct Acceptance with his current position in the INDESIT ATP Entry System) or for the period up to nine (9) months beginning with the first tennis event that the player competes in, whichever occurs first. Q. How does the ATP Entry System work in doubles? A. The ATP Entry System is based on calculating, for each player, his total points from his best 14 results from all eligible Tournaments, except for the World Doubles Championship played in the Entry System period. Q.How does the ATP Team Race work? A. The ATP Team Race is the mathematical method of ranking men's doubles pairs on a calendar-year basis.Each team is ranked according to its total points from its best 14 results from all eligible (Grand Slam and ATP only) Tournaments played in the calendar year. Q. How do I become an umpire? A. All of the officials that you see working on the ATP have spent many years developing their skills at the amateur level and lower level professional events. To give aspiring officials a clear direction and path, the ATP, along with the ITF and the WTA have combined for a joint officiating program for professional officials by which all assignments are based. To become a part of this system you must first get started in your own Federation's officiating program. Each Federation can train and certify officials based upon an educational program developed by the ITF. Upon successful completion of this first educational step, and if the official shows sufficient progress on court, the official could be nominated to attend an ITF Level 3 school for International Officials. This school is a joint venture between the ATP, ITF and WTA Tour. Once the official has successfully completed this International school he or she may be proposed for work at ATP, ITF and WTA Tour tournaments.This may seem like a long process; however, it is necessary that an official obtains a solid background in officiating prior to taking on the demands and increased pressures of the professional tour. So, the first thing you must do is contact your local Federation. Once you make contact, they can inform you how, in your country, you can get started on your journey to becoming a tennis official.