The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) has announced a revised points distribution system for individual tournament rankings, set to take effect in 2024. The new system will see an increase in points awarded to players in all rounds, except for the champion, whose reward will remain unchanged.
Starting from January 1st, winners of tournaments will continue to receive 2,000 points for a Grand Slam, 1,000 for a Masters 1000, 500 for an ATP 500, and 250 points for an ATP 250, just as it currently stands.
The increase in points will be allocated from the first round to the runner-up. This means that runners-up will see an increase in their reward. They will receive 1,300 points in the four Grand Slams, a rise of 100 points, 650 in Masters 1000 (an increase of 50 points), 330 in ATP 500 (an additional 30 points), and 165, which is fifteen more points than their current allocation, in ATP 250 tournaments.
Semifinalists will also witness an increase in points, ranging from 800 points in Grand Slams to 400 in Masters 1000 and 200 in ATP 500.
The ATP has already initiated changes to the weekly configuration of the world rankings, with the new points system coming into effect this week at the Brisbane tournament, despite it still being in 2023.
According to the ATP, "The changes are designed to optimize the points distribution following the increase of Masters 1000 trophies with 96-player draws, as well as to offer a better balance and distribution of points following the significant increase in higher-level ATP Challenger tournaments (175 points for the champion) that will be available to players from 2023."
In 2024, tennis will place greater emphasis on the progression through the earlier stages of ATP Tour tournaments to discourage players from migrating to Challenger tournaments, which will undergo slight reductions. The 20 points awarded for reaching the second round of the qualifying rounds in Masters 1000 tournaments will be positioned between the 25 points for reaching the quarterfinals and the 13 points for reaching the round of 16 in a Challenger 175, the top category in the second tier of the tennis circuit.
These changes aim to provide a more balanced and equitable distribution of points, considering the increased number of players in Masters 1000 tournaments and the growing significance of ATP Challenger tournaments. By rewarding players for their performances in the earlier rounds, the ATP hopes to encourage greater participation and maintain the competitiveness of the sport.
Overall, this new points system will heighten the importance of each round in a tournament and offer players more opportunities to earn points and improve their rankings. It is an exciting development for the world of tennis, promising a more dynamic and competitive environment for both players and fans.