Association of Tennis Professionals
The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) is the governing body that oversees the men's professional tennis circuits, namely the ATP Tour and the ATP Challenger Tour. Established in September 1972 by Donald Dell, Jack Kramer, and Cliff Drysdale, the ATP's primary aim was to protect the interests of professional tennis players. Cliff Drysdale was elected as its first president.
History and Formation
The genesis of the ATP was in response to the need for an organized representation of male tennis players, particularly as the sport transitioned into the Open Era in 1968. The ATP was pivotal in creating a unified body that worked alongside the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and various tournament directors to ensure fair play and equitable treatment of players.
The ATP Tour
Since 1990, the ATP has been organizing what is now known as the ATP Tour, a global series of tennis tournaments for men. Initially called the ATP Tour, in 2001, the name was slightly modified to just ATP, with the tour itself remaining the ATP Tour. The ATP Tour is categorized into different levels, including the ATP Tour Masters 1000, ATP Tour 500 series, and ATP Tour 250 series.
Drug Testing and Regulations
The ATP was among the first professional sports organizations to introduce a drug-testing program. This pivotal step underscored its commitment to maintaining fairness and integrity in the sport.
Notable Events and Challenges
A significant event in the ATP's history occurred in May 1973 when Nikola Pilić, a top player from Yugoslavia, was suspended by his national tennis association for allegedly refusing to play in a Davis Cup tie. This led to a major players' boycott of the Wimbledon Championships that year, highlighting the growing power and influence of the ATP in professional tennis.
Rankings
The ATP is also responsible for maintaining the ATP Rankings, a merit-based system that ranks players based on their performance in various tournaments. These rankings are crucial for determining player entries and seedings in tournaments around the world.