System becomes a bit more like for men-no points for qualifying at 10K level; but massive points at the upper end. 60 points for R2 of a grand slam, and big qualie points in GS as well. Will make getting in and progressing in slam qualies VERY important for rankings, and the use of Wimbledon WC make or break for British players. Personally, I think this will give a dependence on very few events/competitions, so increase error in rankings in the 100-300 range.
All starts 1st January.
At least the new system rewards progressing in 10Ks now-used to be R2-1 QF-1.5 SF-2 F-4 W-6 and will now be R2-1 QF-2 SF-3 F-4 W-6. I always felt the old 0.5 point per win up to the SF was very mean.
Another consequences will be weaker players in the 1100-1500 range, who have maintained themselves by fractional points from qualifying at 10Ks/near qualifying at 25K alone, will disappear from the rankings. A MD win is required at 10K level, or actually qualifying at 25K level. Starting out just got a bit harder.
What I don't know is whether it still requires 3 results to qualify for a ranking, or whether now (like the men) it becomes one. With no knowledge to the contrary, I guess the status quo of 3 qualifying results still stands.
I have to confess to not having a clue about the current system. But, if (like the men) the slams points are compulsory then I guess the extra points are to encourage the top women to participate more often, although I agree it will make for some unfairness in the lower ranks.
On the other hand, the 10k level new system looks better than before.
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Points look fairer, but the WTA needs to remember theres thousands of tennis player, not 120, and needs to stop only thinking of the top players when it makes these decisions.
Qualifying for a chalneger is often harder than winning a futures event, so I always valued the way that the girls got points for challenger qualifying rounds.
Never mind. At least it noe makes sense with the mens rankings...