The history of Open Tennis began in 1968 and the ATP is an integral part of this history.
Initially, prior to 1968 the Grand Slam tournaments and all other national championships were open to amateur competitors. Then, in 1972 the leading professional created the Association of Tennis Professional. Log on to WatchTennisOnline.net. Register and Watch Shanghai Rolex Masters 2010 Live Online.
Just a handful of the Tennis’ leading players met in a secluded stairwell at the US Open to discuss the need for a players' association. Leading them was Executive Director Jack Kramer and President Cliff Drysdale, whose goals it was to change the game for the better. Their first priority was the establishment of a computer ranking system to provide fair analysis of a player's performance as well as an objective means to determine the entrants to the tournaments. The ATP Rankings began on Aug. 23, 1973 and has continued through today as the official ranking system in men's professional tennis. Log on to WatchTennisOnline.net. Register and Watch Shanghai Rolex Masters 2010 Live Online.
The Men's Tennis Council which administered the men’s circuit from 1974-89 was made up of representatives of the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the ATP and tournament directors from around the world. Though they administered well, the players began to feel that they should have a greater voice for their sport. Wanting to take more control over the game the players once again like the stair well meeting started the ATP had the now-famous "press conference in the parking lot" with the ATP CEO, Hamilton Jordan in 1988. This gave birth to the ATP Tour. Log on to WatchTennisOnline.net. Register and Watch Shanghai Rolex Masters 2010 Live Online.
With 85 of the top 100 players supporting the new Tour, the new system was well on established. Later in 1988, contracts to play the ATP Tour in 1990 were signed by 24 players. Tournament directors of major events also joined in the support and thus were born the unique partnership of players and management. The 2010 season will mark the 21st year the ATP has administered the worldwide circuit of men's professional tennis. Log on to WatchTennisOnline.net. Register and Watch Shanghai Rolex Masters 2010 Live Online.
Here are some the highlights of the ATP which will tells us about the history of tennis. See how it has grown so exponentially.
1973: The ATP establishes the computer ranking system.
1974: The Men's International Professional Tennis Council (MIPTC) is formed.
1976: The ATP Doubles computer rankings begin.
1978: The Nations Cup becomes the first ATP Championship.
1979: Full-time MIPTC supervisors employed and PENN is the official ball of the ATP.
1980: The ATP sets up a player pension fund.
1991: The first TV package for men's tennis broadcasts 19 tournaments to a worldwide audience.
1993: The ATP Tour extends its reach to Arabian Gulf.
2001: A newly launched Web site, ATPtennis.com.
2009: Shanghai Masters added.
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