I know there are plans in place to change the scheduling next year, but it really is difficult for any GB player or European player outside the top 500 to find a reasonable event in Europe/North Africa in Feb
23 Feb - France chall, Italy 15k, Egypt 10k, Portugal 10k, Spain 10k, Tunisia 10k, Turkey 10K
02 March - France chall, France 15K, Egypt 10k, Portugal 10K, Tunisia 10K, Turkey 10k
I'm sure the number of 15k events has fallen and given the ITF study suggested that a large proportion of ITF players were from a European base, then there needs to be more tournaments available.
Bergamo challenger is loaded - entry cut off is 204, so all of our guys are down and looks likely to play qualifying which is a nightmare to get through and gets a measily 3pts and next to no prize money. The GB men players seem reluctant to play Egypt and Turkey, I 've been told the hotels call the tunes and if you don't use their hotel then you have to pay extortionate rates to access practice courts and club facilities.
I'm very surprised France is holding two similar events in the same week Quimper and Lille
I've not even looked at the women's schedule, but i'm guessing it is just as bad.
The scheduling of the women's ITF events over $10K is also a joke. Joko, Naomi B, Naomi C, Katy et al are all struggling to find suitable tournaments.
Mar 2 - Brazil 25k clay, Australia 15k
Mar 9 - Australia 15K
Mar 16 - Mexico 25K, Spain 25k clay
Mar 23 - China 50K, US 25K clay, Aus 15k, Thailand 15K
Mar 30 - France 50K, US 50K clay, Aus 15k, Thailand 15k
Apr 6 - 1 x 50K, 5 x 25K including Barnstaple and 3 x 15K
Apr 13 - US 25K clay
Apr 20 - 2x 50K, 2x25K 3 x 15K
Apr 27 - 1 x 75K, 1 x 50K, 3 x 25K
Come on ITF spread them out a bit more evenly and across continents
