British Tennis Forum - Celebrating 20 Years!

Lambda wrote:

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Spireman wrote:

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It's a poor system. Some GB tournaments have a long list of players nominally in alternates up to the sign in and draw. But they have no idea who above them will sign in, who won't turn up and who are the chosen ones, above or below them, who get wildcards. So unless you are one of those getting a nod that you will get a wildcard it must be very hard to plan. On the other hand 15k events overseas seem to have fewer entries, then so many withdraw, perhaps quite late, that GB players get put in the draw without signing in. When they have no intention of playing...I agree they should withdraw but on the other hand with so much doubt often until the last few days where someone is on the list I can understand it. Surely you should have to sign in to be in the draw....with telephone sign in an option.

-- Edited by Spireman on Sunday 24th of August 2025 03:48:25 PM

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The purpose for automatic placement in the draw was to address the problem of players remaining in the qualifying list when they had no intention of signing in. By placing them in the draw it incentivises them to withdraw before the sign in deadline instead of facing the higher no show fine. It is part of a package of changes introduced to give alternates a better idea of how many vacancies there were to decide whether to sign in. I wouldn't be in favour of returning to make everyone sign in but there clearly needs to be tweaks to the current system.

The ITF need to understand why players are not withdrawing. Most of them seem to be those that don't play pro events much or at all. Is it that they don't expect to move in to the qualifying list and don't check? Is it that they don't know if they are an acceptance they are placed in the draw if they don't withdraw in which case more education is needed? Does the fine not matter to them because they are unlikely to need to pay it (assuming it is on account and deducted from future prize money they're unlikely to earn enough to cover the fine at 15k level). Is it for some other reason?

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 I wouldn't have assumed that the fine is on account 

After all, the inscription amount is not on account, it's not taken out of earnings, it has to be paid whatever

I would assume the fine is a debt, like any other fine

Whether they pursue them aggressively is another matter but I would guess it's a normal fine, with normal enforcement procedures

And, also, each year when you renew your membership with the ITF, you have to settle debts owing and have a clean slate