Yea, don't know about funding but I know that wildcards are often a big part of the decision too - you get big bucks (comparatively) and a real chance to have a go. But, I agree, I expect he's discussed it with the LTA (although when Naiktha switched back, the LTA said it was the first they're ever heard of it)
Just possible that he might also be coming to uni here?
There are new rulebooks for 2022 available on the ITF website. The following is copied from the summary of changes, and sets out explicitly how the ranking points will drop off.
(Mens and Womens) Section XIII. ITF WORLD TENNIS RANKINGS
A. Introduction
ITF World Tennis Ranking points are also awarded in ITF World Tennis Tour Tournaments. The ITF World Tennis Ranking system is a 52-week, cumulative system in which the number of Tournament results that comprise a players ranking is capped at a players best fourteen (14) Tournament results for singles and best fourteen (14) Tournament results for doubles. This system was modified in 2020 and again 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Points from all tournaments played 4th March 2019 onwards were frozen and therefore eligible to be counted amongst a players best fourteen (14) tournaments. Subject to any further amendments, the ITF World Tennis Ranking is scheduled to return to a 52-week system in Week 1 of 2023 by the following procedure:
All remaining points from 2019 (March to December) drop on 4th April 2022. Points from 2020 drop on a weekly basis from January 2022. Points from 2021 are dropped on a weekly basis, as normal during 2022. Ranking returns to a 52-week system in Week 1 2023.
-- Edited by the addict on Sunday 2nd of January 2022 01:09:09 PM
Andy is +22, Jay has zoomed back into the top 200, Jack Draper is closing in on the same, with Paul and Aidan now ever closer to the top 300 (and Stuart is up to 504)
17/01/22
Top 500
12 (=) Cameron Norrie (CH)
24 (+2) Dan Evans
113 (+22) Andy Murray
128 (-1)Liam Broady
130 (-9) Kyle Edmund
185 (+26) Jay Clarke
213 (+49) Jack Draper (age 20)
267 (+2) Ryan Peniston
324 (+23) Paul Jubb
327 (+10) Aidan McHugh (age 21)
390 (+3) James Ward
454 (-3) Billy Harris
459 (+1) Anton Matusevich (age 20)
And Stuart Parker cracks the top 500 (although James Wards slips out) And Ali G right on the cusp New CHs for Jack, Ryan P, Paul and Aidan - and others And huge welcome to Phoenix, age 16, who joins the adult rankings
31/01/22
Top 500 and other upward movers
13 (-1) Cameron Norrie 22 (+2) Dan Evans (CH)
102 (+11) Andy Murray 124 (+4) Liam Broady 132 (-2) Kyle Edmund 196 (-11) Jay Clarke
212 (+1) Jack Draper (age 20) (CH) 263 (+4) Ryan Peniston (CH)
448 (+6) Billy Harris 479 (-20) Anton Matusevich (age 20) 499 (+5) Stuart Parker
501 (+21) Alastair Gray (CH) 560 (+37) Jan Choinski 562 (+36) Felix Gill (age 19) (CH) 585 (+106) Charlie Broom (CH) 639 (+242) Dan Cox 648 (+16) Mark Whitehouse 848 (+39) Dan Little (CH) 946 (+13) Toby Martin
1777 - NEW IN - Phoenix Weir (age 16) (CH)
-- Edited by Coup Droit on Monday 31st of January 2022 08:56:40 AM
Alastair Gray: +35 to 376
Charlie Broom: +135 to 575
Felix Gill: +28 to 769
Josh Paris: +127 to 910
Stuart Parker: +54 to 1004
Toby Martin: +73 to 1107
Harry Wendelken: +229 to 1147
Giles Hussey: +109 to 1345
Oscar Weightman: +736 to 1461
Adam Jones: +654 to 1864
Max Basing: +103 to 2194
Biggest mover in the GB Singles Top25 in January was Dan Cox up 9 to GB#21. Runner up was Charles Broom up 3 to GB#19. Biggest drop was for James Ward down 4 to GB#15.
Biggest mover in the GB Doubles Top25 in January was a tie between Alastair Gray, Jack Draper and Charles Broom, all up 3 places to GB#13, #21 and #23 respectively. Biggest drop was shared amongst numerous players including Ken Skupski and Scott Clayton, who all drop down 2 places.
And Stuart Parker cracks the top 500 (although James Wards slips out) And Ali G right on the cusp New CHs for Jack, Ryan P, Paul and Aidan - and others And huge welcome to Phoenix, age 16, who joins the adult rankings
31/01/22
Top 500 and other upward movers
13 (-1) Cameron Norrie 22 (+2) Dan Evans (CH)
102 (+11) Andy Murray 124 (+4) Liam Broady 132 (-2) Kyle Edmund 196 (-11) Jay Clarke
212 (+1) Jack Draper (age 20) (CH) 263 (+4) Ryan Peniston (CH)
448 (+6) Billy Harris 479 (-20) Anton Matusevich (age 20) 499 (+5) Stuart Parker
501 (+21) Alastair Gray (CH) 560 (+37) Jan Choinski 562 (+36) Felix Gill (age 19) (CH) 585 (+106) Charlie Broom (CH) 639 (+242) Dan Cox 648 (+16) Mark Whitehouse 848 (+39) Dan Little (CH) 946 (+13) Toby Martin
1777 - NEW IN - Phoenix Weir (age 16) (CH)
-- Edited by Coup Droit on Monday 31st of January 2022 08:56:40 AM
Andy is live 94 this week now with players dropping points around him, so could well be top 100 again in a weeks time. Liam also benefits to live 118.