The ATP has said there is no truth in a claim that the ATP offered ranking points to the ITF Transition Tour on condition that no data would be sold to betting companies.
Earlier this week the vice-president of the German Tennis Federation, Dirk Hordorff, launched an attack on the newly formed Transition Tour. Under the new system, WTA points are only awarded to women playing in events that have $25,000 in prize money or more. In men’s tennis, $25,000 ITF Pro Circuit events offer both ATP ranking points (later rounds) and ITF Entry Points (all rounds); while the qualifying rounds of ATP Challenger tournaments also offer both ATP ranking points (all events) and ITF Entry Points (events up to $125,000 in prize money). Players can use their ITF ranking to enter into professional tournaments.
In a Facebook post, Hordorff said that the ITF refused to accept an offer made by the ATP in relation to ranking points on the men’s tour. He alleged that the ATP was willing to offer ranking point to tournaments at every level. The only condition was for the ITF to not sell their data to betting companies. In accordance to a recommendation set out be the Independent Review Panel (IRP).
“The ATP never intended not to give ATP points to Transition Tour Tournaments, former Futures. The only condition for giving points was not to sell the data to betting companies as the Independent Panel, which was installed by all seven governing bodies of Tennis, suggested.” Hordorff wrote.
“The ITF decided to sell the data and not having points on these tournaments.”
Shortly after the publication Ubitennis’ first article on the topic, the ITF contacted us directly. Heather Bowler, who is executive director of communications and digital for the ITF, stressed that Hordorff’s comment was incorrect.
“There is no truth in the social media posts referred to that ATP ranking points for the ITF World Tennis Tour were conditional on data sales.” Bowler stated.
With the two figures in disagreement over their version of events, a spokesman from the ATP has stepped in. After reaching out to ATP Communications director Nicola Arzani, Ubitennis was provided with a statement from the governing body on the matter. Siding with the ITF’s statement.
“The ATP supports the IRP’s recommendation to remove the supply of data at the lowest level of professional tennis, however, this is not related to the award or allocation of ATP ranking points.” A spokesman said.
In recent weeks there have been growing frustration among players concerning the new ITF circuit. Some have said that they have been made worst off following the changes. The principle objective of the new format is to provide a better standard of earning potential for more players.
Ubitennis hopes to contact Hordorff in the coming days for further details about his previous comments.
