ITF reaffirms Olympic qualification criteria

The ITF confirmed on Tuesday that it will use the ATP and WTA rankings of 7 June, 2021 to determine the entry list for the Olympic Tennis Event at Tokyo 2020, postponed until next year due to the coronavirus pandemic, adding that the criteria to determine player eligibility will remain unchanged.

While the qualification method for both the Olympic Tennis Event and Paralympic Wheelchair Tennis Events will remain the same, entry lists will now be determined using the ATP/WTA rankings of 7 June 2021 for the Olympic Tennis Event and using the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour rankings of 7 June 2021 for the Paralympic Wheelchair Tennis Event ITF Statement

The date is the day after the French Open is due to reach its climax at Roland Garros in Paris.

“While the qualification method for both the Olympic Tennis Event and Paralympic Wheelchair Tennis Events will remain the same, entry lists will now be determined using the ATP/WTA rankings of 7 June 2021 for the Olympic Tennis Event and using the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour rankings of 7 June 2021 for the Paralympic Wheelchair Tennis Event,” the ITF statement said.

“However, the current system of classification for wheelchair tennis will now remain in place until the end of 2021, to ensure that all athletes who would have been eligible for the Paralympic Wheelchair Tennis Event in 2020 will remain eligible for the event in 2021,” it added.

There are 64 places in both the men’s and women’s Olympic singles competitions, 56 of which will be allocated directly off the world rankings.

With a maximum of four places per National Olympic Committee (NOC), however, some players in the top 56 may find themselves on the outside looking in.

There is also a threshold of minimum participation in either the Fed Cup or Davis Cup which must be met, although those who have not hit that benchmark can appeal.

Of the remaining 8 singles berths, one will go to a former Olympic singles or Grand Slam champion not yet qualified, and one to the highest-ranked player from the host nation.

The Asian Games and African Games champions will also qualify automatically, along with the Pan American Games runner-up and winner.

For Europe and Oceania, the highest-ranked player from an NOC not yet represented in the singles competition will be offered a place.

Qualification through continental success overrides a player’s position in the world rankings, meaning the spare place will be allocated to the next-best player per the rankings.

“By no later than 10 June 2021, the ITF shall confirm to NOCs/National Associations the names of athletes qualified for Direct Acceptance and Final Qualification Places (ITF Places) for Singles and/or Doubles based on this Qualification System.

“By no later than 17 June 2021, the NOCs/National Associations shall confirm to the ITF if they wish to use these quota places, as detailed in paragraph G. Qualification Timeline.”

Unused quota places are due to be reallocated on 5 July, although withdrawal replacements may be admitted until the end of the first round.

There will be 6 medal events in wheelchair tennis at the Paralympics – men’s singles and doubles, women’s singles and doubles and mixed-gender quad singles and doubles.

The majority of places will be allocated off the world rankings, but some will be awarded based off performances at the 2018 Asian Para Games and 2019 Parapan American Games or via invitation from the Bipartite Commission of the ITF and the International Paralympic Committee.