Micron Document




ATP Challenger Tour
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The ATP Challenger Tour (known until the end of 2008 as the ATP Challenger Series) is a series of international men's professional tennis tournaments. It was founded in 1976cite-ref-1[1] as a replacement for the ILTF Satellite Circuit (founded in 1971)cite-ref-2[2] as the second tier of tennis.

The Challenger Tour events are the second-highest tier of tennis competition, behind the ATP Tour and ahead of the ITF World Tennis Tour tournaments. The ATP Challenger Tour is administered by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). Players who succeed on the ATP Challenger Tour earn sufficient ranking points to enter the main or qualifying draws at ATP Tour tournaments. Players on the Challenger Tour are typically young players looking to advance their careers, those who fail to qualify for ATP events, or former ATP Tour players looking to return to the top tour.

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History of challenger events

The first challenger events were held in 1978, with eighteen events taking place. Two were held on the week beginning January 8, one in Auckland and another in Hobart. The next events were held one at a time beginning June 18 and ending August 18 in the following U.S. locations, in order: Shreveport, Birmingham, Asheville, Raleigh, Hilton Head, Virginia Beach, Wall, Cape Cod, and Lancaster. Events continued after a one-month hiatus with two begun September 24 and 25, one in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, and in Lincoln, Nebraska, respectively. The following week saw one event played, in Salt Lake City, then two played simultaneously in Tel Aviv and San Ramon, California, then one played the following week in Pasadena. A final event was played a month later in Kyoto. In comparison, the 2008 schedule saw 178 events played in more than 40 countries.

Partnerships with ITA and ITF

In efforts to further the progression of college and junior players into the professional tour, the ATP Challenger Tour has partnered with the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to give players more opportunities on the professional tour. Those that finish in the top 10 of the end-of-year college rankings are now eligible for six wild cards into the main draw of Challenger events, and if they have finished their college education, they receive 8 of those wild cards. Those that finish in the 11 through 20 range of the collegiate rankings are eligible for six qualifying wild cards, with those who have completed their college education being eligible for eight wild cards.cite-ref-3[3]

Much like the partnership with the ITA, the Challenger Tour also partnered with the ITF. This partnership granted those with year-end rankings inside the top 10 in the world eligible for eight main draw Challenger Tour wildcards, and those who finished the year between 11 and 20 in the world receiving eight Challenger Tour qualifying wildcards.cite-ref-4[4]

Prize money and ranking points

In 2022, during the most numerous season in the tour's history,cite-ref-2022-review-5-0[5] the ATP Tour announced an overhaul of the tournaments system from 2023 season. Challenger 110 and Challenger 90 events were scrapped, Challenger 80 reduced to the Challenger 75 while the prize money requirements for it and Challenger 100 were increased. It also introduced the new highest category − Challenger 175 to be inaugurally held in the second week of Indian Wells, Rome and Madrid ATP Tour Masters 1000 events.cite-ref-6[6]

The new points system is as follows:

| Tournament category | Singles | Singles | Singles | Singles | Singles | Singles | Singles | Singles | Singles | Singles | Doubles | Doubles | Doubles | Doubles | Doubles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tournament category | W | F | SF | QF | R16 | R32 | R48 | Q | Q2 | Q3 | W | F | SF | QF | R16 |
| Challenger 175 | 175 | 100 | 60 | 32 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 0 | TBP | TBP | TBP | TBP | TBP |
| Challenger 125 | 125 | 64 | 35 | 16 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 125 | 75 | 45 | 25 | 0 |
| Challenger 100 | 100 | 50 | 25 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 100 | 60 | 36 | 20 | 0 |
| Challenger 75 | 75 | 44 | 22 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 75 | 50 | 30 | 16 | 0 |
| Challenger 50 | 50 | 25 | 14 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 50 | 30 | 17 | 9 | 0 |

Player quality

Players have usually had success at the Futures tournaments of the ITF Men's Circuit before competing in Challengers. Due to the lower level of points and money available at the Challenger level, most players in a Challenger have a world ranking of 100 to 500 for a $35K tournament and 50 to 250 for a $150K tournament. An exception happens during the second week of a Grand Slam tournament, when top-100 players who have already lost in the Slam try to take a wild card entry into a Challenger tournament beginning that second week.

Tretorn Serie+

In February 2007, Tretorn became the official ball of the Challenger Series, and the sponsor of a new series consisting of those Challenger tournaments with prize money of $100,000 or more. They renewed the sponsorship with the ATP in 2010 and extended it until the end of 2011.

Records

Most singles titles

| Position | Player | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lu Yen-hsun | 29 |
| 2 | Dudi Sela | 23 |
| 3 | Paolo Lorenzi | 21 |
| 4 | Carlos Berlocq | 19 |
| 5 | Go Soeda | 18 |
| 6 | Maximo Gonzalez | 17 |
| 6 | Blaz Kavcic | 17 |
| 6 | Facundo Bagnis | 17 |
| 8 | Takao Suzuki | 16 |
| 8 | Aljaz Bedene | 16 |

Most matches won

Updated as of 10 May 2024

| # | Matches won | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 423 | Rubén Ramírez Hidalgo | 2000–2017 |
| 421 | Paolo Lorenzi | 2003–2021 |
| 409 | Go Soeda | 2004–2022 |
| 369 | Lu Yen-hsun | 2002–2018 |
| 363 | Facundo Bagnis | 2009–2024 |
| 350 | Carlos Berlocq | 2002–2019 |
| 328 | Filippo Volandri | 1999–2016 |
| 325 | Blaž Kavčič | 2007–2022 |
| 323 | Rogério Dutra Silva | 2006–2019 |
| 321 | Dudi Sela | 2003–2022 |
| 306 | Horacio Zeballos | 2006–2017 |
| minimum 300 wins | minimum 300 wins | minimum 300 wins |

Oldest champions

| Player | Age | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Ivo Karlović | 39 years, 7 months | Calgary 2018 |
| Fernando Verdasco | 38 years, 3 months | Monterrey 2022 |
| Richard Gasquet | 38 years, 2 months | Cassis 2024 |
| Dick Norman | 38 years, 1 month | Mexico City 2009 |
| Stéphane Robert | 37 years, 8 months | Burnie 2018 |
| Fabio Fognini | 37 years, 6 months | Montemar 2024 |
| Bob Carmichael | 37 years, 6 months | Hobart 1978 |
| Stéphane Robert | 37 years, 5 months | Kobe 2017 |
| Tommy Robredo | 37 years, 1 month | Parma 2019 |
| Tommy Robredo | 37 years, 1 month | Poznań 2019 |
| Marin Čilić | 36 years, 8 months | Nothingham 2025 |

Youngest champions

| Player | Age | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Chang | 15 years, 7 months | Las Vegas 1987 |
| Richard Gasquet | 16 years | Montauban 2002 |
| Bernard Tomic | 16 years, 4 months | Melbourne 2009 |
| Kent Carlsson | 16 years, 7 months | New Ulm 1984 |
| Marcos Ondruska | 16 years, 7 months | Durban 1989 |
| Richard Gasquet | 16 years, 8 months | Sarajevo 2003 |
| Rafael Nadal | 16 years, 9 months | Barletta 2003 |
| Richard Gasquet | 16 years, 10 months | Napoli 2003 |
| Félix Auger-Aliassime | 16 years, 10 months | Lyon 2017 |

Youngest to win multiple titles

| Player | Age | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Richard Gasquet | 16 years, 8 months | Sarajevo 2003 |
| Félix Auger-Aliassime | 17 years, 1 month | Sevilla 2017 |
| Rafael Nadal | 17 years, 1 month | Segovia 2003 |
| Bernard Tomic | 17 years, 3 months | Burnie 2010 |
| Carlos Alcaraz | 17 years, 5 months | Barcelona 2020 |
| Novak Djokovic | 17 years, 5 months | Aachen 2004 |
| Juan Martin del Potro | 17 years, 6 months | Aguascalientes 2006 |

Youngest to win three titles

| Richard Gasquet | 16 years, 10 months | Napoli 2003 |
|---|---|---|
| Carlos Alcaraz | 17 years, 5 months | Alicante 2020 |
| Félix Auger-Aliassime | 17 years, 10 months | Lyon 2018 |
| Juan Martin del Potro | 17 years, 10 months | Segovia 2006 |
| Novak Djokovic | 17 years, 11 months | San Remo 2005 |

List of events

The Tampere Open is the longest running ATP Challenger event.cite-ref-2022-review-5-1[5]

Challenger 175 ($220,000+H / €200,000+H)
Challenger 125 ($164,000+H / €145,000+H)
Challenger 100 ($133,000+H / €118,000+H)
Defunct tournaments

Aberto de Brasília (2009–2010)
Aberto Rio Grande do Sul (2012–2015)
Aberto Rio Preto (2011, 2013)
Aberto de São Paulo (2001–2014)
Aegon GB Pro-Series Bath (2011-2012)
Aegon Trophy (2009-2014)
Aegon Manchester Trophy (1995-2009, 2015-2016)
ATP Challenger Torino (2015–2016)
Almaty Challenger (2017–2019, 2021)
Almaty Cup (2007–2009)
Antalya Challenger (2021, 2023)
Astana Cup (2010–2011)
Banja Luka Open (-2023)
BMW Ljubljana Open (-2011)
BW Open (2023–2024)
CDMX Open (2018)
Chengdu Challenger (2016-2019)
Claro Open Barranquilla (2011-2016)
Copa Agco Córdoba (2012, 2014)
Ethias Trophy (2005–2016)
Geneva Open Challenger (1992–2014)
Grenoble Challenger (1999-2008)
• Guimarães Open (2013)
The Hague Open (-2018)
Hoff Open (2015–2016)
Hua Hin Challenger (2015–2017)
Internazionali di Forlì (2020-2021)
Irving Tennis Classic (2012-2018)
IS Open de Tenis-São Paulo (2012-2013, 2015)
IsarOpen (2018)
Israel Open (2008–2016)
Jersey International (2008-2010)
Kaohsiung OEC Open (2012-2019)
Košice Open (-2014)
Lermontov Cup (2012)
Liuzhou Open (2018-2019)
Málaga Open (2022-2023)
Mamaia Challenger (2006-2009)
• Melbourne Open (2013)
Memorial Argo Manfredini (2000-2008)
• Naples ITG Challenger (2007)
New Delhi Challenger (1999–2008)
Nur-Sultan Challenger (2019–2021)
Open de Guadeloupe (2011-2018)
Penza Cup (2006-2012)
Pingshan Open (2014-2019)
RD Open (2017–2019, 2022–2024)
Sacramento Challenger (2005–2015)
Santiago Movistar Open (2015–2017)
Sanremo Tennis Cup (2002-2010, 2022-2023)
Soweto Open (2009–2013)
Sparkasse Salzburg Open (2021–2024)
Status Athens Open (-2011)
• The Tarka Challenger (2007)
TEAN International (1996-2017)
Tennislife Cup (-2011)
Trani Cup (-2011)
Trofeo Città di Brescia (2014-2017)
Trofeo Faip–Perrel (2006-2023)
Trofeo Paolo Corazzi (2008-2011)
Trophée des Alpilles (2009-2016)
• UTC Open by Selena (2007)
• Valencia (Santa Clarita) Challenger (2006–2007)
Verrazzano Open (2019)
• West Side Tennis Club Clay Court Challenger - Forest Hills (2003-2007)
Wrocław Open (2015–2017)
Zagorka Cup (2009)
Zhuhai Open (2016-2023)
• Togliatti Cup

Other tournaments

• Barranquilla Challenger
Cranbrook Tennis Classic (2023-2024)
Kozerki Open (2025-)
• Winston-Salem Challenger

See also
References

cite-note-11. "Obituary: Larry Turville". International Tennis Federation. 16 October 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
cite-note-22. citereffriedman1971Friedman, Charles (25 July 1971). "Satellite Tournaments Provide Outlet for New Talent in Tennis". The New York Times. p. 5. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
cite-note-33. "ATP & ITA Unite To Accelerate Professional Development For US Collegiate Players | ATP Tour | Tennis". ATP Tour. Archived from the original on 2023-03-28. Retrieved 2023-03-28.
cite-note-44. "ATP & ITF Collaborate To Accelerate Careers Of Aspiring Players | ATP Tour | Tennis". ATP Tour. Archived from the original on 2022-12-21. Retrieved 2023-03-28.
cite-note-2022-review-55. "By The Numbers: 2022 ATP Challenger Tour". ATP Tour. 17 December 2022. Archived from the original on 4 January 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
cite-note-66. "ATP Announces Record-Breaking Challenger Tour Enhancements". ATP Tour. 16 September 2022. Archived from the original on 2 October 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2023.

• ATP 2010 Tretorn SERIE+
• Entry Points and Prize Money Table
• US Open Prize Money
• Article mentioning Agassi's Las Vegas Challenger
• Overview from ATPtennis.com

External links

• Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) official website
• List of Upcoming/Past Challenger events (archived 9 May 2008)