From 1 January 2017, Tennis Australia will be making changes to the Australian Ranking tournament structure with the goal of simplifying and improving the customer experience at these tournaments, while ensuring that Australian Money Tournaments (AMT) and Junior Tournaments (JT) remain competitive for aspiring Australian tennis players.
Since mid-2015, discussions have taken place between Tennis Australia, its Member Associations and other key stakeholders to evaluate the Australian Ranking tournament structure for 2017 and beyond. Using the insights of customers (parents and players), coaches, tournament organisers and officials, Tennis Australia will be implementing the following changes:
- White level tournaments will no longer be held. The four levels of AMT and JT will be: Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze
- The length of singles matches at Bronze AMT and Bronze/Silver JT will be reduced by using either Fast4 or Best of 2 scoring
- All JT and Silver and Bronze AMT events will be held in tournament blocks so that they don’t interfere with club competitions
- All JT events to avoid clashes with school days within the state or territory they are being held (limited exemptions will apply for national championship and international tournaments)
- Junior players will only be able to earn AMT ranking points in the year that they turn 15. This is to encourage junior players to compete longer in JT
- Entry numbers into Platinum and Gold AMT and JT events will be restricted to ensure these events cater for the high-performance player market
- In a pilot exercise, Victoria will restrict the top 10 players in their age group from competing in Bronze junior tournaments to increase the tournament experience for introductory players.
The FAST4 scoring format has been introduced as an option for Bronze AMT and Bronze/Silver JT levels to reduce the length of tournaments and offer our consumers a different option. Not all tournaments of these levels will be utilising the FAST4 scoring format, however those who are will be clearly identified on the Tournament Calendar.
Further announcements can be expected later this year however, more detailed information about the changes to the Australian Ranking tournament structure for 2017 is available here.
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