Who, where, when: meet the 2024 GSPDP/ITF Touring Team in Australia
What is the Grand Slam Player Development Programme (GSPDP)/ITF Touring Team?
Each year, groups of talented players from developing tennis nations are invited by the ITF to join Grand Slam Player Development Programme/ITF Touring Teams.
The players, who are aged 18 and under, travel as part of a team on carefully crafted tours, have access to high-performance coaches and are exposed to events outside of their region.
Without the Touring Team, which is financed through the Grand Slam Player Development Programme, these players would unlikely be able to compete at such a high level of competition.
It is a programme which dates back to 1987 when the ITF, with the support of the Grand Slam tournaments, decided to give players from less developed tennis nations exposure to the world's best junior tournaments.
In short, the Touring Team is a key development initiative – both on and off the tennis court – and paves the way for players to ascend to the professional game.
During 2024, the Touring Team will travel to all regions of the world and compete across the tennis spectrum: at ITF World Tennis Tour level, under-18 junior events and top-level under-14 regional and international events.
The Grand Slam Player Development Programme/ITF Touring Team is currently in Australia. Who are the players involved?
Boys:
Girls:
Coaches:
Roberta Burzagli (BRA)
James Connelly (AUS)
What is the schedule of Grand Slam Player Development Programme/ITF Touring Team in Australia?
8 Jan: Arrival
9-11 Jan: Training camp in Traralgon
12-17 Jan: Players to compete at J300 Traralgon
20-27 Jan: Players to compete at the Australian Open Junior Championships
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 few years that have previously represented Grand Slam Player Development Programme/ITF 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)