ITF introduces Advance Entry system for doubles competition

From next month, ITF World Tennis Tour Men’s $25,000 and Women’s $25,000, $60,000, $80,000, and $100,000 tournaments will have an advance entry system for the doubles competition.

Since the start of the year, the ITF has been working on a system to allow doubles teams to enter ITF tournaments in advance rather than only being able to sign in on-site.

The change will allow players to plan their schedules more effectively and at less cost, as well as professionalising the entry system for doubles competition.

Key principles:

• ITF World Tennis Tour Doubles competitions will remain 16-team events
• Up to 7 teams can be accepted by Advance Entry. The remaining teams, including any vacancies from the Advance Entry period, will be filled by on-site entries and wild cards
• Advance Entry teams will be accepted by ATP/WTA/ITF Doubles ranking; on-site teams will continue to be accepted by “Best of” ATP/WTA/ITF Singles and/or Doubles ranking
• Advance Entry deadline is 12 days prior to the tournament at 14:00 GMT. This is the day after the ITF singles withdrawal deadline
• All entries will be made through IPIN. One player from the team will propose the partnership and the partner will need to confirm acceptance
• To make a doubles entry in IPIN, players will need their partner’s IPIN number or their IPIN-registered email. All partnerships must be confirmed before the 14:00 GMT Entry deadline or the partnership will be removed
• Teams are committed to the event at the Doubles Withdrawal/Freeze Deadline, 4 days prior to the Monday of the tournament week, which is the same time as the Singles Freeze Deadline.
• Prior to the Withdrawal/Freeze Deadline, withdrawals from Advance Entry Doubles positions may take place without penalty
• $15,000 tournaments will not offer Advance Entry for Doubles. Entry at these tournaments will be on-site only.

More detailed information around the process and answers to frequently asked questions will be communicated to players in the coming weeks. Questions should be directed to womens@itftennis.com or mens@itftennis.com