Competing at Wimbledon
Competing at Wimbledon, renowned as one of the premier tennis tournaments globally, is a goal for many players. But what does it take to secure a spot in this prestigious event? To gain automatic entry into Wimbledon, a player must be ranked above 104 in the world as of six weeks prior to the tournament’s commencement. Notably, those who fall below this threshold can still qualify if higher-ranked players decide to withdraw.
Ranking Points and Qualification
Ranking points, which determine a player’s standing, are accrued from participation in ATP and WTA tournaments. Players earn more points from higher-tier competitions, including Grand Slams, compared to lower-level ATP and WTA 250 events. Professional players on the tour are the ones vying for these rankings.
For men, the ATP ranks players based on their best 19 results over a 12-month span, while the WTA uses the top 18 results for women’s singles.
Qualifying Rounds
The qualifying rounds for Wimbledon are specifically meant for those who have not secured a position in the main draw. This year, those rounds will take place from June 23 to June 26, where players ranked outside the top 104 will compete in a knockout format for one of 16 spots available for both men and women. Additionally, the All England Lawn Tennis Club distributes wildcards—special entries granted based on players’ past performances at Wimbledon.
Gaining Ranking Points
If you’re wondering how to gain the necessary ranking points, first consider applying for an International Player Identification Number (IPIN) through the International Tennis Federation (ITF) for a fee of $75; this number allows entry into sanctioned tournaments. A complimentary ITF World Tennis number is also essential and can be obtained through the Lawn Tennis Association in the UK. This system aids players in finding opponents of similar skill levels and helps track performance, launching in over 174 countries since its introduction in late 2021.
Players are rated on a scale of 40 (beginner) to 1 (professional) under the World Tennis Number system. As players improve, they may attain the qualifications for ITF World Tennis Tours, which serve as the initial step in the competitive ladder for both men’s and women’s tennis. Players generally gain priority entry into these events based on their ATP or WTA rankings, followed by their ITF World Tennis Ranking and World Tennis Number.
Success Stories and Opportunities
These World Tennis Tours present various competitive levels for players to earn ranking points and ascend the rankings. A familiar success story includes Emma Raducanu, who captured her early professional titles in the ITF circuit before making headlines at the US Open as a Grand Slam champion.
Achieving a ranking within the top 220 players can grant access to entry-level ATP and WTA competitions, subsequently increasing a player’s chances of qualifying for Wimbledon’s main draw. This overview comes from the BBC Sport’s Ask Me Anything team, a service dedicated to addressing queries about sports and providing detailed insights.
The team prides itself on offering comprehensive coverage across platforms including the BBC Sport website, app, YouTube, and various broadcast mediums, ultimately enriching sports enthusiasts’ knowledge about major events and answering the pressing questions fans might have.
