What is the Grand Slam Player Development Programme (GSPDP)/ITF Touring Team?

Each year, groups of talented junior players from developing tennis nations are invited to join Grand Slam Player Development Programme/ITF Touring Teams, which are financed through the Grand Slam Player Development Programme.  

This invitation allows players to travel as part of a team, have access to high-performance coaches and gain exposure to events outside of their region. Without the Touring Team, these players would not have the opportunity to compete at such a high level, which is key to their development.

By the close of 2023, the Grand Slam Player Development Programme will have had teams compete in all six of the world's tennis regions and at ITF World Tennis Tour level, under-18 junior events and top-level under-14 regional and international events.

The Touring Team is currently in North America.

 

Who are the players involved on the North American Tour

International 18 & Under GSPDP/ITF Team to North America

Boys:

Iliyan Radulov (BUL)

Nicolai Kjaer (NOR)

Fernando Cavallo (ARG)

Girls:

Elizara Yaneva (BUL)

Mara Gae (ROM)

Rositsa Dencheva (BUL)

Teodora Kostovic (SRB)

Coaches: Roberta Burzagli (BRA), Carlos Valle (ESP), Richard Ashby (USA)

 

What has been the standout moment of the tour so far?

There may be more to come but Bulgaria’s Iliyan Radulov claimed his second J300 title of the season after conquering all before him at J300 College Park, defeating home favourite Alexander Razeghi in the final.

Radulov has enjoyed a productive campaign and has reached the quarter-finals at two Junior Grand Slams – Australian Open and Wimbledon – while a member of the Grand Slam Player Development Programme/ITF Touring Team.

Radulov is currently ranked No. 7 in the ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Rankings, having been as high as No. 4 in April, and will have high hopes of making a significant impact at the US Open Junior Championships, which start on Sunday.

 

What has been the schedule for the Touring Team in North America?

17-20 August: training camp in Washington, D.C. (USA)

21-27 August: J300 College Park (USA)

27 August – 2 September: J300 Repentigny (CAN)

3-10 September: US Open Junior Championships (USA)

 

There are numerous players who are either in the top 50 of the ATP and WTA Rankings or have featured within the top 50 in the last 18 months or so that have previously represented Touring Teams. Who are they?

Women:

Zhang Shuai (2001,2003)

Sorana Cirstea (2003)

Victoria Azarenka (2004)

Irina-Camelia Begu (2004, 2007)

Simona Halep (2005)

Ons Jabeur (2008)

Aliaksandra Sasnovich (2009)

Jelena Ostapenko (2010, 2011, 2012)

Anhelina Kalinina (2010, 2011, 2013)

Camila Osorio (2014, 2016, 2017)

Men:

Grigor Dimitrov (2004, 2005, 2006)

Cristian Garin (2006)

Ilya Ivashka (2008)

Lloyd Harris (2010, 2013, 2014)

Sebastian Baez (2015)