| Professional
Tennis |
June
2003
|
Charles
C. Pyle organized and promoted the first traveling professional
tennis tour in 1926. For the next four decades professional
tennis players were not allowed to compete in "grand
slam" events and tournaments that were sanctioned
by national tennis organizations. Many of the male players
developed their games and reputations in amateur tournaments
before competing professionally in exhibition matches and special
events. Few women, however, turned pro during this period of
tennis history.
Most
tennis tournaments became open in 1968, allowing both amateur
and professional players to enter competitions. Soon afterwards,
professionals dominated the game. Requirements were established
to regulate the minimum age that a player must meet before
turning pro. For the current men's tour, the minimum age requirement
is 14, and players in this grouping may only enter a limited
number of tournaments until they reach the age of 16. The minimum
age requirement for the current women's tour is 14, and players
may only play in a limited number of professional tournaments
until they become 18.
Professional
tennis is presently governed by three major organizations:
the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the ATP (formerly
the Association of Tennis Professionals), and the Women's Tennis
Association (WTA). The ITF oversees the four grand slam tournaments
as well as the Davis Cup (men's) and Fed Cup (women's) annual
international tennis competitions that are held between national
teams. With the exception of Davis Cup and grand slam events,
the ATP presides over the men's professional tennis tournaments.
The WTA governs the women's professional tennis tour.
Next: New
Jersey Tennis Stars
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