When it comes to professional tennis, the ATP Rankings play a crucial role in determining a player’s standing and success in the sport. Understanding the ATP Rankings is essential for appreciating the world of tennis. At Slazenger Heritage, your vintage sportswear store, we are passionate about all things tennis, and we’re here to give you a comprehensive guide to the ATP Rankings.
At Slazenger Heritage we have a rich history of providing high-quality tennis equipment and are proud to be a trusted source for tennis fans worldwide. Our mission is to celebrate and preserve the sport of tennis and to inspire the next generation of players. We strive to provide our customers with the latest news, products, and insights into the world of tennis. Our guides on the ATP Rankings are just one example of how we are fulfilling that mission.
What is the ATP rankings?
The ATP Classification has become an iconic and essential tool for tennis fans worldwide. It is the ultimate reference for any follower of the sport and is used by tournament organizers to select players for participation in their events. The rankings are also a reflection of the competitive nature of the game, with players from all around the world vying for a coveted spot in the top rankings.
Since its inception in 1973, the ATP Classification has seen some of the greatest players in the history of the sport occupy the top spots. From the likes of Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe in the 1970s and 1980s to the dominance of Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi in the 1990s, the rankings have always been a reflection of the best players of their era.
The current rankings are led by Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic, who has held the top spot for over 300 weeks. He is followed by Spanish star Rafael Nadal and Russian player Daniil Medvedev. The doubles rankings are led by Croatian player Mate Pavic and Brazilian player Bruno Soares.
The ATP Rankings system has evolved over time to become more accurate and relevant. It now takes into account not only a player’s performance in recent tournaments but also their historical performance and the level of competition they have faced. This ensures that the rankings truly reflect a player’s skill and ability on the court.
With the ATP Rankings being updated every week, tennis fans around the world eagerly await each new release to see how their favorite players are faring. And with the fierce competition and ever-changing landscape of the sport, the rankings will continue to be a fascinating and essential tool for tennis fans for many years to come.
It is the «objective method based on merits to determine acceptance and seeding in all singles and doubles tournaments, except for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals». It covers results from the previous 52 weeks and is updated every Monday, approximately 45 times each year.
Novak Djokovic, No. 1 in the ATP singles rankings
The history of these rankings
The ATP began as a men’s union in 1972, thanks to the combined efforts of Jack Kramer, Cliff Drysdale and Donald Dell. It became famous when 81 of its members boycotted the 1973 Wimbledon Championships. In August, just two months later, the ATP created its ranking system to objectively determine tournament entry criteria, which until then, national federations and tournament directors had controlled.
In the early years of the ATP rankings, only Grand Slam and World Championship Tennis (WCT) events awarded points. Over time, the ranking system has evolved to include more events, including ATP Tour events and the Olympic Games.
In 1990, the ATP established the ATP Tour World Championships. The ATP Tour World Championships, later renamed as the Nitto ATP Finals, became a prestigious season-ending tournament. Points earned from participating in this tournament have been factored into the ATP Rankings since its inception.
The ATP recognizes them as an important tool to seed players and grant direct entry into many ATP Tour events. Also including Grand Slams and the Nitto ATP Finals. The rankings also help determine the ranking of doubles teams, which the ATP has included in the system since 1991.
Overall, the ATP Rankings have played an important role in the development and growth of professional men’s tennis. And continue to serve as a key tool for players, fans, and tournament organizers.
Robert Farah and Juan Cabal, No. 1 in the ATP Doubles Rankings
How does the ATP calculate rankings?
The calculation for rankings distributes points based on 19 events for both singles and doubles players starting in 2021. In singles, the Nitto ATP Finals is an extra event (20th) in the ranking breakdown. Top players who compete at all mandatory events will have the following breakdown:
- One (1) Nitto ATP Finals (additional event in the ranking breakdown)
- Four (4) Grand Slams
- Eight (8) mandatory Masters 1000s
- Seven (7) ‘Best Other’ (ATP Cup, ATP 500, ATP 250, Challenger, ITF)
To improve their results in a tournament, players must wait until the drop date of that tournament and only if they achieved a worse result or did not enter in the current year, they can replace their first worse result from the previous year.
After 52 weeks, the tournament points drop. However, the ATP Finals points drop the Monday after the last ATP Tour event of the following year.
In conclusion, the ATP Rankings are a crucial part of the professional tennis world, and understanding them can greatly enhance your appreciation of the sport. At Slazenger Heritage, we are dedicated to providing you with all the information you need to be a knowledgeable and passionate fan of tennis. Stay tuned for more great content and products from us, and let’s celebrate the beauty of tennis together!
