We see a lot of players picking and choosing which tournaments to play on the ATP Tour, and this is bound to give birth to a lot of doubts as to how they do so. Naturally, a lot of factors go into consideration while making such decisions.
In this piece, we take a look at the different factors that players consider while picking which ATP tournaments to participate in.
#1 Prize Money
One of the biggest concerns while entering into an ATP tournament has to be the prize money on offer. Players take note of the different prize money offered by different tournaments and then decide to participate accordingly.
Since all players are professionals, winning tournaments is one of their major sources of income. Hence, they have to take a call on which tournaments provide the most prize money so that they can maximise their participation.
If they win these tournaments, the players get to pocket a significant sum of money, and therefore, they consider the prize money on offer. The players also work hard and give their best to win the prize money of a particular tournament.
#2 Entry Fee
While most professional players do not have to pay an entry fee to participate in tournaments across the world, some whose rankings do not give them an entry have to do so.
Generally, higher-ranked players get entry into ATP tournaments quite comfortably but the same may not be the case for lower-ranked players. This holds true in ITF World Tennis tournaments in which some players have to pay the entry fee to participate.
#3 Playing Surfaces
Another major factor that players consider while choosing tournaments is the playing surfaces. Players generally have preferences regarding the surfaces they want to compete on based on where they are in their training and what phase of the season they are going through.
If a certain player is preparing only for, say, the French Open, then he will most probably pick a lot of clay court ATP tournaments ahead of going to Roland Garros. Playing in clay court tournaments will give him the exposure and preparation he needs to do well in the French Open.
Similarly, those preparing for hard-court tournaments will only pick the ATP tournaments that are played on that surface. Those players who are preparing for grass tournaments ahead of Wimbledon will also likely pick and choose those tournaments.
Playing surfaces play a major role in the decision-making of the players when they sit and choose which tournament to play in the ATP Tour. If a certain tournament matches their preference, they pick it and decide to participate.
#4 Rankings
The ATP rankings of players also play a major role in their decision-making regarding choosing which tournaments to participate in. Since most tournaments give entry only to players over a certain ranking, it leaves out a considerable chunk of participants seething outside. (Check out how ATP rankings are calculated in this piece.)
Hence, where a player is ranked in the ATP standings plays a big role in them choosing which tournaments to go to. While some may feel that they are missing out, in the bigger picture, this is done by the ATP to ensure that the standard of the tournaments in question remains high and that the level does not flag.
If a certain player’s rankings are high enough to enter into any ATP tournament across the world, then the other factors mentioned above come into consideration. Playing surface and rankings are quite important in the decision-making process of a professional tennis player.
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