As the International Tennis Federation (ITF) unveiled its maiden world ranking, Joseph Imeh remains the highest rated Nigerian star ranked 1285 in the rating released on Monday.
Chile’s Fernanda Brito and Spaniard David Perez Sanz head the field at the top of the ITF Men’s and Women’s singles rankings.
The official ITF World Tennis rankings are based on a player’s 14 best singles and 14 best doubles results achieved at ITF World Tennis Tour $15,000 tournaments for women, and at $15,000 and $25,000 tournaments for men, as well as in ATP Challenger qualifying events.
Having featured in eight events under the new rating, Imeh with 21 points heads the listing of Nigerian players.
Thomas Otu is the second highest ranked Nigerian in the world occupying 1514 in the rating. Other Nigerians listed in the new ranking list are Sylvester Emmanuel (1535), Christian Paul (1613) and Paul Emmanuel (1718).
The ITF World Tennis Tour is expected to span at least 140 countries in 2019 and will serve as the player pathway between the junior game and elite level of professional tennis.
The newly designed Tour has its focus on reaching out to as many players as possible from around the world, and on rewarding those players who achieve success at each level with opportunities at the next level.
A player’s ITF World Tennis Ranking is valid for general tournament entry at $15,000 – $100,000 tournaments (women) and at $15,000 – $25,000 tournaments (men).
In addition, guaranteed main draw places are reserved for the best ITF-ranked players applying for entry into men’s and women’s $25,000 tournaments (5 places) and into ATP Challenger tournaments up to and including the 110 level (4 main draw/ 3 qualifying places).
Brito, the first Women’s ITF No. 1 in singles, is also the first No. 1 in doubles. Last year was the 26-year-old Chilean’s best year to date. She won nine singles titles during 2018 and between June and September won 40 successive main draw matches in singles, a record for women playing in ITF tournaments.
Spain’s Perez Sanz, the first Men’s Singles ITF No. 1, is 24 years old and owes his No. 1 ranking to the six singles titles he acquired at ITF level in 2018, including a run of 28 wins in 29 matches through October and November.
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