Pro, Challenger and Future tour news! (updated 7-18-2011)

[djarvik]

(this thread will be changing from time to time, please keep an eye on it)

Current tournament entree rules:

Grand Slams and Masters - open entree, qualification rounds will be held.
Pros (250, 500) - minimum rank of 100 required to enter.
Challenger - maximum rank of 60 to enter.
Future- maximum rank of 120 to enter.

Please, enter tournaments of your level. This is paramount to ITST success.

Important info
- There are a few levels of Challenger and Futures tournaments, each carry a different point count. Please check the tournament page for exact point break down per round.
- The rank at the moment of signup will be the determining factor for entree.
- The futures and challenger events now will start on the same day on. You will no longer be able to participate in both at this time.
- If the draws (Pro level) are not full by the end of the week, we may open the tournaments to lower ranked and un-ranked players.
- If you already registered for Future or Challenger event tournament, you will not be eligible to enter a Pro tournament.

[Mudhoney]

good job, and great seeing the tour growing in numbers!

[Sherlock 117]

Great news

It's exciting to see the competitive ladder at ITST growing. A better ladder means more opportunities to find equal competition.

[TomBs]

Yes indeed. If it keeps growing like this I might find equal competition in a few decades.

[PerfectAce]

Yes indeed. If it keeps growing like this I might find equal competition in a few decades.

Yeah, me too. Always when I believe i´m improving, I get smashed by someone...

Let see what happens now in Wimbledon

[djarvik]

UPDATED
(please read original post)

[Alex-4487]

thats great news but couldnt you wait until the rankigns update after wimbledon for this as im in the round 16 of the grand slam and im sure ill be in the top 70 after the ranking update, but by the time im allowed to sign up to SkiStar Swedish Open Bastad 250 event it may already be full by then.

[djarvik]

Unfortunately, you will have to wait till next week then.

You may play a Challenger or a Future event this week if you wish.

This needs to be done now. There are over 200 players all want to enter pro events, we need our top players to be able to enter top events.

[Alex-4487]

ok fair enough thx though there are two 250 events so hopefully i will have a chance to enter one of them

[trulyinfemous]

As an unranked member, this is great news. Hopefully I can climb the ladder now.

Had my first 3 online games today, won 2, and the 3rd one I lost as I was rushing and it was a rematch vs someone who figured out my game.

My internet connection was fine and experienced zero lag, so that's a positive and shouldn't be an issue when playing games that mean something.

I'd like to know if this minimum rank for grand slams includes wild cards?

I'd love to enter a grand slam even though I'm unlikely to crack the top 50 for a while, if ever.
Is this possible for a low ranked player/noob like myself, to help me move up a bit quicker? or is a grand slam only for the top guys unless it doesn't get filled? I'm a bit uncertain over that.

Other than that great to hear and I look forward to playing you all!

[djarvik]

We hold qualifying rounds and give out Wild Cards for Grand Slams and Masters events. Of course we dont just give WC to anyone, you have to be someone "on the rise". We will scout all requests and pick the ones we feel are likely to make "noise" in the first round.

Reminder, you can try and enter a Pro event on Sunday. If there are places left in the main draw, we may release the ranking CAP and allow un-ranked players in. This is by no means a guarantee and you will be risking missing a Challenger or a Future event if you wait till lats minute. Once you commit to a tournament, you must play it.

As I see it, an un-ranked player can make it to the top rather fast, if he is good. One way is by winning a Future, then Challenger. That should be enough to gain him direct access to Pro tournaments. Another way is by getting lucky and signing up for a Pro event on Sunday. And yet another way is to come thru qualifying (or get a WC) and win a few rounds at Masters or GS.

Basically, if you are good - you will be ranked high and fast. The system is there to reflect your current level. Some player may play Challenger or Future level events all their carrier, and they will be guaranteed close matches with similar level opponents. Either way, everyone has a chance to win a title, reach a Final or a SF.

[trulyinfemous]

We hold qualifying rounds and give out Wild Cards for Grand Slams and Masters events. Of course we dont just give WC to anyone, you have to be someone "on the rise". We will scout all requests and pick the ones we feel are likely to make "noise" in the first round.

Reminder, you can try and enter a Pro event on Sunday. If there are places left in the main draw, we may release the ranking CAP and allow un-ranked players in. This is by no means a guarantee and you will be risking missing a Challenger or a Future event if you wait till lats minute. Once you commit to a tournament, you must play it.

As I see it, an un-ranked player can make it to the top rather fast, if he is good. One way is by winning a Future, then Challenger. That should be enough to gain him direct access to Pro tournaments. Another way is by getting lucky and signing up for a Pro event on Sunday. And yet another way is to come thru qualifying (or get a WC) and win a few rounds at Masters or GS.

Basically, if you are good - you will be ranked high and fast. The system is there to reflect your current level. Some player may play Challenger or Future level events all their carrier, and they will be guaranteed close matches with similar level opponents. Either way, everyone has a chance to win a title, reach a Final or a SF.

Thanks for the reply, and I understand now.
What are the terms for selection in qualifying rounds?

With regards to being given a wild card, I'm hoping I'll be one of those people you look at for the Masters and US Open when they roll around

The system looks very fair and conducive to a quick progression and thus more competitive play at the higher and lower levels.

I used to be worried that a top 25 player would be in a challenger or future event and blow me out the water before I could progress, but this new system works well in making that less likely.

Hopefully I get better and can be classed as good and subsequently rank higher throughout the year.

If anyone is up for a game sometime, hit me a message. I'm up for playing anyone of any skill. As I remember reading when I joined, practice makes perfect, and I am looking to use that advice!

[djarvik]

Right now, qualifying is open to everyone. No restriction. Depending on the interest, we may run 1-3 rounds of qualifying. This is the best chance for a "good" player to make an impact.

Problem is not running into current top 25 player in challengers, problem is running into a future top 25 player Some of the guys can be incredibly good when first joining ITST. Although I do not recall anyone winning a Masters or Grand slam event as un-ranked in mid season. That would elevate this player to a legend status immediately

...in its prime, the ITST is one tough competition! Not only the players are way better then WT, but also matches are longer, more of them and schedule is tight. It requires commitment and dedication.

I suspect there are more then a few talented players hanging around the Challenger level, for the simple reason of "lack of time". These are the ones that are most dangerous around GS time

[trulyinfemous]

Right now, qualifying is open to everyone. No restriction. Depending on the interest, we may run 1-3 rounds of qualifying. This is the best chance for a "good" player to make an impact.

Problem is not running into current top 25 player in challengers, problem is running into a future top 25 player Some of the guys can be incredibly good when first joining ITST. Although I do not recall anyone winning a Masters or Grand slam event as un-ranked in mid season. That would elevate this player to a legend status immediately

...in its prime, the ITST is one tough competition! Not only the players are way better then WT, but also matches are longer, more of them and schedule is tight. It requires commitment and dedication.

I suspect there are more then a few talented players hanging around the Challenger level, for the simple reason of "lack of time". These are the ones that are most dangerous around GS time

Very true.

Summer can be a problem when committing to games, but hopefully I'll be able to squeeze it in.
I play Madden and have been a part of Online Franchises on there as an active member, so hopefully my dedication allows me to progress!

Thanks for the heads up on the dangerous players, I'll keep my eye open, although I never take a game for granted, especially as I am so fresh to it.

Good luck in Wimbledon and hopefully I see you there next year!

[djarvik]

Just a reminder to everyone, for the system to function correctly, players need to pick the highest level tourney they can enter. That is why we placed a cap on Pro tournaments, to allow high ranking players to join first.

There is a gap, players between 50-70 are able to join both, Pro and Challenger events. When we have two 250 events per week, we expect these players to join the one of them and not pick the Challenger event.

I have seen at least 3 players in this category joining the Challenger.

You are free to do what you want, but remember, the signup will open up to everyone at the end of the week, to fill the rest of the draw, so if you don't take your reserved spot in Pro tournament - someone else (lower ranked) will.

Just wanted to make it clear.