Fifth Grand Slam

[GameSetAndMath]

Currently the tennis federations (such as USTA and FFT) of the countries in which grandslams are held make a lot of money by virtue of that. At least part of that money goes towards player
development in those countries.

Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) has requested the ITF to start a fifth grand slam and make
money of it and use the money for player development in regions such as Asia, Africa and
South America. Although ITF is partly in charge of running the grand slam events, ITF
does not own any grand slam. If ITF owns a grand slam, they could make about 50 to
100 million bucks and that could possibly be used for player development in nations
that are not traditional powerhouses in tennis.

Read more about the request by ATF.
It does not appear that ITF is too keen to do it.

 

[Kieran]

I think the game is okay as it is. The idea of a Fifth Slam has been around since I was a kid. I remember the Italian Open - Roma itself - being mooted. And then the old Lipton. Every time a non-slam climbs the scale, it gathers names in favour of its promotion. Asia has a good call in terms of geography, but we should tamper with tradition very reluctantly, and then only acting with knowledge that we're securing and not weakening the sport...

 

[shawnbm]

Brother Kieran brings up a very good point. Yes, it is understandable many would wish for a fifth event to be designated more of a representative of Asia proper, but the ancient and venerable Australian Open is already designated the major of Asia-Pacific, ostensibly in a nod to the growing interest in tennis in places in that part of world other than former UK colonies. Tennis tradition should not be thrown out and the majors rearranged or added to without significant historical basis, which will come from decades of tennis at a particular locale drawing top talent repeatedly, with proper financial incentive, along with the five-set format for the men and the women competing as well. You have to have a great wellspring of support for the sport that is tried and true--it can't be a fad amongst the elites of a given area. That takes time to establish. Besides, adding another major would alter the history books, so it should come about as an acclamation of the tennis world first, then officially designated, if at all.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

In a way WTA has already established a 2 week event in China that adds up to 1900 points.
This consists of Wuhan and Beijing played back to back.
Because of this, the entire fall season of tennis has been re-shuffled this year and will be shuffled more next year.

I am not against adding another major, Tennis should evolve, we can't just grab what we have and be happy. What about the future?

 

[Kieran]

The future is orange. It's sorted. We have four majors. Why have five?

 

[tented]

In a way WTA has already established a 2 week event in China that adds up to 1900 points.
This consists of Wuhan and Beijing played back to back.

Yes, plus Indian Wells/Miami, Madrid/Rome, etc. But back-to-back events does not a major make. Nor justify one.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

In a way WTA has already established a 2 week event in China that adds up to 1900 points.
This consists of Wuhan and Beijing played back to back.

Yes, plus Indian Wells/Miami, Madrid/Rome, etc. But back-to-back events does not a major make. Nor justify one.

But if it's OK to shuffle and add 900 point events, why not shuffle and really improve?
Right now, we are rotating a 10 1/2 month season in WTA and 11 month season for ATP, surely 5 majors can be configured into a 10-11 month span.

We have four majors. Why have five?

Why be opposed? the more the merrier, that's why.

I think the way it's planned as of now, the year end championship could be done as a major!

 

[kskate2]

Sorry Kiu, YEC can't be considered a major when only 8 players qualify. A major consists of 128 players, 7 rounds, etc. Labeling something a make-shift major because it sounds nice or trying to combine 2 tournaments to equal a major just doesn't cut mustard.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

I said it could be!
With some modification of course. How about expanding the round robin to 16 and have a playoff for the last 8
Add points so the winner can gain over 2000 points and viola!

Just saying...

Bottom line is:
They are already changing it. Look at the Calenders and you know what I mean.

 

[Kieran]

"The more the merrier" only trivialises the achievement. Next thing you know, top players will be picking and choosing the majors they play, as if it's Monte Carlo. It devalues the achievement when there's too many of them.

And if the WTA are adding points to their events, none of this gives the events the prestige of a major, and certainly not in the eyes of fans of men's tennis...

 

[Vince Evert]

They should move the U.S. Open to China. The USO has a very poor track record of scheduling albeit next year they will change the Ladies and Men's finals back to Saturday and Sunday keeping with the other Slams.

 

[Kieran]

The stupid idea the US Open had was to hold the men's final on Monday - because it always rains on Sunday, apparently. They really dragged that event out. Their scheduling issues are really to do with starting some first round matches on Wednesday. Oz has worse scheduling issues in that they finish some matches just before the next day's play begins. Their overnighters are ridiculous.

I would be opposed to any fifth slam going to China, and not only because they have no tradition in tennis. It would be like giving it to North Korea, or Russia - and GSM has experience of them places, he'll tell you why it's bad...

 

[britbox]

"The more the merrier" only trivialises the achievement. Next thing you know, top players will be picking and choosing the majors they play, as if it's Monte Carlo. It devalues the achievement when there's too many of them.

And if the WTA are adding points to their events, none of this gives the events the prestige of a major, and certainly not in the eyes of fans of men's tennis...

Agreed. No need for any more majors. The more there are, the more it dilutes the existing ones.

If the ATP/ITF want to re-configure the season then expand the grass season (beyond even the recent tweaks) and re-introduce carpet.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

OK folks, it is time to calm down. ATP chief has said in a recent interview that he does
not plan to make any drastic changes over the next four years or so. He said he wants
to provide stability and predictability to the tour structure and calendar for at least
the next four years. Here is the interview .

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

What did you say GSM?

How about this:
http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2014/10/atp-plans-large-scale-review-circuit/53023/#.VD3fzWddUv4

Large scale review?

WTA has already started.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Read the second para of the article that you are citing. That also says the same thing.
They are not planning on any major changes for the next four years.

A bad title for that article, that's all.