Ive just read the press release again.. And confusingly ive just noticed the point increases for ATP events and decreases for Challengers is for Singles only and not doubles who still get last years points. Very annoying that the two are not in sync.
-- Edited by Madadman on Tuesday 9th of January 2024 09:54:52 AM
Surely its a good thing that doubles havent decreased? It is already hard enough to move up. For me, good to see someone using their brain. I actually hate that they always lazily use the same points system for both.
Totally agree that it is a good thing that doubles hasnt decreased, as you say its hard to break through. You could call it lazy to just use the same points but I think it simplifies it and makes it easier to follow. Anyway it is what it is! Im sure the ATP will have another tinker in a few years.
It is hard to breakthrough in doubles and also to progress through the levels. Take Julian Cash - hes 48 live rank just now. I think a title this week would gain him maybe 3 places more? But then theres a big chasm to the top 40 or so where hed need to win a couple more 250s to make progress. And if the doubles players around his rank cant get into many 500 or 1000 level events due to singles players or small fields, its hard to make the rise through without getting a big points haul on your record from a slam. winning 250 level events doesnt get you very far at all. Or challenger level events - getting into the top 100 is just as tough an ask.
Yeah just remember Lloyds breakthrough with Harri. They had a bit of luck getting into Rome as Alts, Lloyd travelling hand luggage only, making the QFs then followed it up at the French, then they got a WC at Queens after LTA and Finnish tennis negotiations. Shows you need a bit of luck sometimes. The Grand Slams is where doubles teams really have to perform to get up the rankings into the top 40/30/20 etc
Yeah just remember Lloyds breakthrough with Harri. They had a bit of luck getting into Rome as Alts, Lloyd travelling hand luggage only, making the QFs then followed it up at the French, then they got a WC at Queens after LTA and Finnish tennis negotiations. Shows you need a bit of luck sometimes. The Grand Slams is where doubles teams really have to perform to get up the rankings into the top 40/30/20 etc
This applies to the women as well. Maia leapt up the rankings after her run at Wimbledon with Naiktha and the 430 points gained there are a significant portion of her 1257 total.
Joe Salisbury made the point several years back that there was one atp1000 (or really high event, can't remember which one, not a Grand Slam) where he got a wildcard, I think it was, did well - and that changed his whole career - the points and money skewed everything else, and he was now able to carry on because he had the points for other events. He'd probably have quit otherwise, he said.
Though yes in general it can be tough to move up the doubles rankings and ranking points gaps generally get bigger the higher in the rankings, the groupings and gaps at any time are fairly random.
So in the current rankings, though Julian Cash WR 49 on 1740 points, is 490 points behind the WR 40 on 2230 points, the WR 30 on 2545 points is only another 315 points further ahead.
1015 of his current 1740 points are not due off before September so a good 6 or 7 months, carrying on from the end of last year, gives him a real chance to significantly move up the rankings. If good enough, and yes one or two big hauls would help, he will get there. And the same applies to the others.
-- Edited by indiana on Wednesday 10th of January 2024 05:16:27 PM
Though yes in general it can be tough to move up the doubles rankings and ranking points gaps generally get bigger the higher in the rankings, the groupings and gaps at any time are fairly random.
So in the current rankings, though Julian Cash WR 49 on 1740 points, is 490 points behind the WR 40 on 2230 points, the WR 30 on 2545 points is only another 315 points further ahead.
1015 of his current 1740 points are not due off before September so a good 6 or 7 months, carrying on from the end of last year, gives him a real chance to significantly move up the rankings. If good enough, and yes one or two big hauls would help, he will get there. And the same applies to the others.
-- Edited by indiana on Wednesday 10th of January 2024 05:16:27 PM
But there is just so many weeks where he cannot play an event higher than a challenger. IW, Miami, Rome and Madrid all 2 weeks. Monte Carlo. Davis Cup weeks. Second weeks of Slams (if he doesnt get that far). He wont get into 500s either except for qualifying and you cannot play qualifying if you go deep in the 250 the week before. February normally a good month, after that it can be slim pickings.
As Jon you really need a big week at a Slam (semis or better). Playing 250s realistically is only going to maintain you unless you win every single one.
Though yes in general it can be tough to move up the doubles rankings and ranking points gaps generally get bigger the higher in the rankings, the groupings and gaps at any time are fairly random.
So in the current rankings, though Julian Cash WR 49 on 1740 points, is 490 points behind the WR 40 on 2230 points, the WR 30 on 2545 points is only another 315 points further ahead.
1015 of his current 1740 points are not due off before September so a good 6 or 7 months, carrying on from the end of last year, gives him a real chance to significantly move up the rankings. If good enough, and yes one or two big hauls would help, he will get there. And the same applies to the others.
-- Edited by indiana on Wednesday 10th of January 2024 05:16:27 PM
But there is just so many weeks where he cannot play an event higher than a challenger. IW, Miami, Rome and Madrid all 2 weeks. Monte Carlo. Davis Cup weeks. Second weeks of Slams (if he doesnt get that far). He wont get into 500s either except for qualifying and you cannot play qualifying if you go deep in the 250 the week before. February normally a good month, after that it can be slim pickings.
As Jon you really need a big week at a Slam (semis or better). Playing 250s realistically is only going to maintain you unless you win every single one.
Exactly - its the lack of opportunity for players below a certain level- outside the top 40 for doubles specialists and you seldom get into 1000 or 500 level events. I say top 40, I dont know the actual number but if a masters has a 24 draw and there are 48 doubles players, some singles or wild cards, it may even be top 30 where chances diminish if you fall below.
the slams become vital as they have deeper draws. That and , for Brits, wildcards in other grass court events.
theres lots of players who win many 250 events and just dont progress up the ranks very far.
Joe Salisbury made the point several years back that there was one atp1000 (or really high event, can't remember which one, not a Grand Slam) where he got a wildcard, I think it was, did well - and that changed his whole career - the points and money skewed everything else, and he was now able to carry on because he had the points for other events. He'd probably have quit otherwise, he said.
You sure it wasnt Wimbledon in 2018 got a WC with Frederick Nielson and jumped from 80 to 40 by reaching the semifinal.