The LTA have introduced a £1,000 bonus to the British players getting the most ATP and WTA points in each of the winter, summer (excluding major grass events) and October British swings. I'm not clear if the bonus is open to all British players or just those eligible for the LTA's Tournament Bonus Scheme (ie those not on an adult LTA Pathway Programme or at the National Academy and not receiving a Wimbly MDWC).
The LTA have introduced a £1,000 bonus to the British players getting the most ATP and WTA points in each of the winter, summer (excluding major grass events) and October British swings. I'm not clear if the bonus is open to all British players or just those eligible for the LTA's Tournament Bonus Scheme (ie those not on an adult LTA Pathway Programme or at the National Academy and not receiving a Wimbly MDWC).
Like that - Ive always supported a narrative around each swing, and if it helps that, Im all for it. I was a big fan of the old satellite circuits at ITF level, 3 events linked via points and a masters in week 4, with circuit points then translating into ranking points - maybe that wouldnt work these days, and a masters is irrelevant, but 3 linked weeks and a prize is good.
for the grass, would that be the challenger grass events or post Wimbledon ITF, or all?
Going slightly off-topic into the WTA grass events, Bad-Homburg has been elevated to a WTA500 event. I'm not sure what this means for the women's Eastbourne event as I don't believe the tour can support quality player fields in two 500s the week before a Slam when many top players prefer to rest. I think Bad Homburg is one of the overseas events supported by the AELTC (which is why Brits have had WCs there in recent years).
I understand there was a review of the grass season events by the AELTC, LTA and others last summer but I don't know if this is one of the outcomes of it.
Interesting re Eastbourne/Bad-Homburg. The WTA calendar did have it still down as a 250. The week before Berlin is a 500 as well so both 500s are in Germany. Unless Eastbourne retains its position as a 500 which I would agree must be doubtful.
Strasbourg the week before the FO and Monterrey the week before the USO are both 500 events now as well, so must be a strategic decision to place 500s in that week before slams.
Wiki shows both Eastbourne and Bad Homburg as 500s for sure.
Strasbourg and Monterrey being upgraded is part of the strategy to have a 500 or higher in every week of the season. Having a 500 the week before Wimbledon is long established. But that's not the point I was trying to make. It's the impact of an additional 500 in the same week on Eastbourne. It may well retain 500 status this year but the draws are going to be weaker for a 500 with top players that do play spread between two 500s, and having two 500s the same week is not, in my opinion, financially sustainable. Players are more likely to choose Bad Homburg over Eastbourne for a variety of reasons, including the windy weather conditions at Eastbourne not being good preparation for Wimbledon and the UK's tax rules among other reasons. So Eastbourne may reduce to a 250 in future years, just as Birmingham did because it was loss making
Strasbourg and Monterrey being upgraded is part of the strategy to have a 500 or higher in every week of the season. Having a 500 the week before Wimbledon is long established. But that's not the point I was trying to make. It's the impact of an additional 500 in the same week on Eastbourne. It may well retain 500 status this year but the draws are going to be weaker for a 500 with top players that do play spread between two 500s, and having two 500s the same week is not, in my opinion, financially sustainable. Players are more likely to choose Bad Homburg over Eastbourne for a variety of reasons, including the windy weather conditions at Eastbourne not being good preparation for Wimbledon and the UK's tax rules among other reasons. So Eastbourne may reduce to a 250 in future years, just as Birmingham did because it was loss making
got it. How does Eastbourne do as it is, financially, crowd wise? Ive always struggled with it as a venue. Partly location, south coast, partly the windy conditions. And partly, with it being the week before Wimbledon, its always felt totally like a warm up in the way Queens Club doesnt.
it may be that Ive never come to like as, being frank, I dont really follow or like womens tennis. I have been to Eastbourne as well as several other events, and it left me cold - little atmosphere or passion. But it may be me.
I guess Im asking, a) will it be very missed, history aside b) is there another option - move it forward two weeks so it is in the Nottingham slot, keep it as a 500, move Nottingham back and Into the current Eastbourne slot?