ATP to calculate points in new way from 2024

The ATP's new scoring system benefits big players, while making it difficult for others to break into the top 1000.

The Grand Slam champion still receives 2,000 points, but the runner-up gets a bonus of 1,200 points, up from 1,300. Similarly, the winner of a Masters 1000 still receives 1,000 points, while the runner-up gets 650, 50 more points than in previous years.

The ATP changes are aimed at optimizing points based on player effort, as many Masters tournaments have grown in size, with more participants and more rounds. The slight increase in points for advanced players also brings more balance to the distribution of points on Tour. With many Masters 1000 tournaments lasting two weeks instead of one, players who are eliminated early have the opportunity to play ATP Challenger events to earn more points.

Fritz (far left) and other top players are the biggest beneficiaries of the ATP's new scoring system. Photo: ATP — Fritz (far left) and other top players are the biggest beneficiaries of the ATP's new scoring system. Photo: *ATP*

The changes only apply to singles, while doubles will retain the same scoring system. The increase in ATP Challenger tournaments will result in a slight reduction in points awarded at this level. This will be a challenge for lower-level players, who are still required to qualify for ATP 1000 tournaments by having a good ranking. They will have to play more tournaments and consistently succeed at Challenger level to improve their ranking.

The ATP's new formula has led many to believe that the organization wants the Masters 1000 system to be like an "Elite League" with familiar faces at the top, and not welcoming new faces. This is also the ambitious model of Saudi Arabia, the country that plans to buy four Grand Slams and nine Masters 1000s to form a super tournament system, ending with the 14th event taking place at the end of the year in this country.

Taylor Fritz, the world No. 10, has publicly supported the new idea. "If you're at the top, you're going to play every major event," the American said. "With the big names, it's going to be more exciting. It's going to be easier for fans to follow because all they care about is the majors. For the players, having only 14 major events makes the year less stressful. We're going to focus on those 14 events and play the best tennis possible."

Fritz advocates for the ATP Tour to follow the model of the PGA Tour in golf, where 125 golfers have memberships for the following season. At the end of the season, some would be demoted to a lower tour if they don't play well, and others would be promoted.

"I want only the top 100-120 players to play on the ATP Tour in a season," Fritz said. "Before, many people said I was only good at earning points in ATP 250 tournaments. With the new system, everyone plays the same number of tournaments. No one complains about how others earn points, because players will not earn points anywhere else but the 14 big events."

Vy Anh

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