The ITF World Tennis Tour bolstered its position in 2023 as a fundamental pillar of professional tennis and the stage for the development of the game’s future stars.
Over 10,600 players took part in over 1,135 tournaments as competitive opportunities increased on pre-pandemic levels (up from the 1,097 events held in 2019).
A total of 571 men’s and 564 women’s tournaments were staged through the year on the ITF World Tennis Tour (up from 533 women’s and 526 men’s events in 2022) with 73 different countries playing host to a total of 50,605* main draw matches – including 35,060* in singles and 15,545* in doubles.
Prize money soared to new record highs, with $17.5 million paid out for women’s events in 2023 (up $2.5m on last year) and $11.2m on offer to the men (from $10.6m in 2022).
The ITF World Tennis Tour made significant strides towards gender parity in 2023, narrowing the gap with the ATP Challenger Tour in the number of women’s equivalent challenger events on offer. There were 189 events across the ITF W40-W60-W80-W100 + WTA 125 categories in 2023, only marginally shy of the 196 ATP Challenger events.
A record number of W60, W80 and W100 tournaments took place, with 103 events held across those three levels – nine more than in 2022.
Mandatory hospitality was also introduced at all W80 and W100 events, while the new W40 category also proved a success with 53 tournaments staged, providing more opportunity and increasing investment in the game.
The ITF World Tennis Tour continues to play a crucial role in driving rising talent from junior competition on to the ATP and WTA Tours.
The new season will see a fresh crop of emerging talent join those already seeking to make their mark on the ITF World Tennis Tour – and on to the ATP and WTA Tours – in 2024.
(*Figures accurate as at 19 December 2023)
