Sustaining coherence in progression and tennis in nations
View(s):By far International Tennis Federation (ITF) has the most number of affiliated bodies, under the banner National Tennis Associations in over 200 plus countries. ITF came to being in 1915 and Ceylon was one of the founder members of it. ITF became the custodian of Davis Cup and the Grand Slam events subsequently, ITF membership is mandatory for Davis Cup.
After the introduction of the game in Victorian England, driving force of tennis was the first Wimbledon of 1877 and the initial inter-nation championship Davis Cup of 1900. The Davis Cup took tennis further to reach length and breadth of the world.
The popularity of Davis Cup drove tennis interest globally, tennis specifics stood out in sporting world. Unfortunately being rigid, it did not permit progressions. The playing progressions of tennis is now with ATP and WTA.
1915 propulsion
Formation of ITF in 1915 created playing facilities and player development using the clubs as their administrators globally along with competition progressions. Creation of junior playing categories has brought about lowering of tennis standard in countries. Many countries have removed junior categories making a single ladder in ranking. It has created competition open. In these countries, early maturity of players is very visible. Their teenagers are winning Grand Slam events.
Tennis events with open professional ranking possibilities and prize money has now reached and available worldwide. There is prize money for a first round loser coming through qualifying rounds.
In the Davis Cup global ladder, we have precipitated into Group 3 and 4 of the Asian region, which is one of many in the world. I heard one past player express our tennis to be CV tennis [curricular activity indicator] for overseas impressions. Some form of reform must appear here and very soon.
ATP and WTA
The top-end tennis is the main global propellant of the game now. This realm is in the hands of professional bodies, ATP and WTA. Show case of the game to the world with everlasting appeal. Player appearance and their ability are inviting sporting spectacle.
Inlet of National Associations into the ATP and WTA is not even a discussion for the professionals. ATP and WTA treat local associations as quasi orphanages of the game of tennis. This, I find to be right. It is the playing ability that is crust of the matter and not the official position of the administrations. Very hard bitter pill to swallow.
Present/future in development
In early development of a player, stroke making to overcome constrains of the court is addressed. Unfortunately, it stays with this in many countries. Subsequent development for competitive skills and physical ability to accommodate the requirements not addressed.
A handful of nations have setup to provide fineness to their players. Reason why these hand full of European, American and Australian players are dominating the global tennis.
Not home-grown
In today’s context, if a world-beater appears, they are from territories where professional level development is available and operative. In fact, it has narrowed further to few academies in these territories. This is the reason ATP and WTA have no connection to National Associations.
Our traditional road
Our players matured with connection to India, Indonesia, Thailand and Pakistan. We do not do this anymore and are not significant anymore in our geography. I have to say, unknowingly have become a market for juvenile tennis equipment. On a request to make tennis shoes duty free, question fired by customs, if we have five million tennis players. That is the number of tennis shoes imported every year and worn for fashion now. If expensive more sold. I find it shocking modern day tennis shoes have ‘expiry date’.
2025 WTA/ATP
tennis showcase
In two weeks, Professional season of 2025 will begin in Brisbane Australia. It will culminate to peak in Australian Open [AO] in Melbourne. Present recess of professional circuit would have helped players with great deal to recuperate.
Change in training culture
For countries like ours, coming up with a world beater will be far cry until players by themselves and support teams understand the top end requirements. Physical build is no more an issue, Italian Jasmine Paolini is only five feet tall and Russian-Kazakhstan player Elena Rybakina is a six-footer. Both have found a place in the Top 10 of the WTA ranking. Our answer hidden in it?
Many of the fallen stars will appear in Australia to start their rerun. British Emma Raducanu, a Grand Slam winner went through repeated injury spell in is Australia. Some in the ATP Top 10 now will lose their status in 2025. Professional tennis burns players. Novak Djokovic is trying to find the fire again, this time with Andy Murray as his coach.
- Seasons Greetings to all -
–George Paldano, European and Asian competition player; Coach German Tennis Federation; National coach Brunei and Sri Lanka; Davis Cup, Federation Cup coach, coached ATP, WTA and ITF ranked players in Europe and Asia; whatsapp +94775448880–