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 1976[1] when it replaced the ILTF Satellite Circuit (founded in 1971)[2] as the second tier of tennis. The Challenger Tour events are the second-highest tier of tennis competition, behind the ATP Tour. The ITF World Tennis Tour tournaments are on the entry-level of international professional tennis competition. The ATP Challenger Tour is administered by the Association of Tennis Professionals. Players who succeed on the ATP Challenger Tour earn sufficient ranking points to become eligible for main draw or qualifying draw entry at ATP Tour tournaments. Players on the Challenger Tour are usually young players looking to advance their careers, those who fail to qualify for ATP events, or former ATP players looking to get back into the big tour.
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.[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.[4]
Prize money and ranking points
In 2022, during the most numerous season in the tour's history,[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.[6]
The new points system is as follows:
Tournament category | Singles | Doubles | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | ||||
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 |
Blaz Kavcic | ||
Facundo Bagnis | ||
8 | Takao Suzuki | 16 |
Aljaz Bedene | ||
Most matches won
Updated as of 10 May 2024[update]
# | 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 |
Oldest champions
Player | Age | Title |
---|---|---|
Ivo Karlović | 39 years, 7 months | Calgary 2018 |
Fernando Verdasco | 38 years, 3 months | Monterrey 2022 |
Dick Norman | 38 years, 1 month | Mexico City 2009 |
Stéphane Robert | 37 years, 8 months | Burnie 2018 |
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 |
Andreas Seppi | 37 years | Biella III 2021 |
Víctor Estrella Burgos | 37 years | Santo Domingo 2017 |
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 | Alicente 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.[5]
Challenger 175 ($220,000+H / €200,000+H)
Challenger 125 ($164,000+H / €145,000+H)
- AON Open Challenger
- Bahrain Ministry of Interior Tennis Challenger
- Bengaluru Open
- Brawo Open
- Busan Open
- BW Open
- Canberra Tennis International
- Copa Faulcombridge
- Co'met Orléans Open
- DIALECTIC Zug Open
- Emilia-Romagna Tennis Cup
- GNP Seguros Tennis Open
- Hangzhou Challenger
- HPP Open
- Internazionali di Tennis Città di Perugia
- Invest in Szczecin Open
- LAYJET Open
- Lexus Ilkley Trophy
- Lexus Surbiton Trophy
- LX Copa Sevilla
- Mexico City Open
- Napoli Tennis Cup
- Olbia Challenger
- Open de Oeiras
- Open Quimper Bretagne
- Play In Challenger
- Porto Open
- RD Open
- Rothesay Open Nottingham
- Slovak Open
- Saint-Tropez Open
- San Marino Tennis Open (2001–2014, 2021-present)
- Sparkasse Salzburg Open
- Teréga Open Pau Pyrénées
- Taipei OEC Open
Challenger 100 ($133,000+H / €118,000+H)
- Aberto da República
- Alicante Ferrero Challenger
- BNC Tennis Open
- Bratislava Open
- Cary Tennis Classic
- Campeonato Internacional de Tênis
- Challenger Dove Men+Care Antofagasta
- Challenger Dove Men+Care Temuco
- Chennai Open
- Citta di Trieste Challenger
- Concord Iasi Open
- Danube Upper Austria Open powered by SKE
- Enea Poznan Open
- FlowBank Challenger Biel/Bienne
- Heilbronner Neckarcup
- Internazionali di Tennis Verona
- Koblenz Open powered by Outlet Montabaur
- Les Championnats Banque Nationale de Granby
- Girona Challenger
- Maia Open
- NÖ OPEN powered by EVN
- Open Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes de Roanne
- Open Blot Rennes
- Open Brest-Credit Agricole
- Open Castilla y León
- Open de Vendée
- Open Sopra Steria de Lyon
- P2 Advisory Canberra International
- Platzmann-Sauerland Open
- Puerto Magico Open Puerto Vallarta
- Pune Metropolitan Region Challenger
- Road to the Rolex Shanghai Masters
- San Benedetto Tennis Cup
- Shenzhen Longhua Open
- Sisley Seoul Open
- Tenerife Challenger
- UniCredit Czech Open
- Uruguay Open
- Vitas Gerulaitis Cup
- Yokkaichi Challenger
Defunct tournaments
- ATP Challenger 2001 Team Padova
- ATP Challenger Corrientes
- Abierto de Puebla (2016)
- Aberto de São Paulo (2001–2014)
- Almaty Challenger (2017–2019, 2021)
- Almaty Cup (2007–2009)
- Banja Luka Open (-2023)
- Belgrade Challenger (-2021)
- Canberra Challenger (-2020)
- CDMX Open (2018)
- China International Challenger Qingdao (2016–2017)
- Città di Caltanissetta (-2018)
- Copa Agco Córdoba (2012, 2014)
- Ethias Trophy (2005–2016)
- Forest Hills Clay Court Classic (-2007)
- Geneva Open (1992–2014)
- Hoff Open (2015–2016)
- Honggutan China International Challenger Nanchang (2014–2016)
- Hua Hin Open Challenger (2015–2017)
- International Challenger Chengdu (2016-2019)
- Internazionali di Forlì (2020-2021)
- Internazionali di Monza e Brianza (2005–2012)
- Intersport Heilbronn Open (−2015)
- Irving Tennis Classic (2012-2018)
- IsarOpen (2018)
- Israel Open (2008–2016)
- Kaohsiung Challenger (-2019)
- Karshi Challenger
- Kazan Kremlin Cup
- Kazan Summer Cup
- Kaohsiung OEC Open (2012-2019)
- Kunming Challenger (2013)
- Maccabi Men's Challenger (2009)
- Málaga Open (2022-2023)
- Maspalomas Challenger (-2023)
- Melbourne Open (2013)
- Memorial Argo Manfredini (2000-2008)
- Monterrey Abierto GNP Seguros (-2023)
- Naples ITG Challenger (2007)
- Nur-Sultan Challenger (2019–2021)
- Open de Guadeloupe (2011-2018)
- Oracle Challenger Series – Chicago (2018)
- Oracle Challenger Series – Houston (2018-2019)
- Oracle Challenger Series – Indian Wells (2018-2020)
- Oracle Challenger Series – New Haven (2019)
- Oracle Challenger Series – Newport Beach (2018-2020)
- RBC Tennis Championships of Dallas (1998-2020)
- Sacramento Challenger (2005–2015)
- Sanremo Tennis Cup (2002-2010, 2022-2023)
- Shriram Capital P.L. Reddy Memorial Challenger
- Shymkent Challenger
- Siberia Cup
- Sicilia Classic
- Soweto Open (2009–2013)
- Sparta Prague Open Challenger (-2023)
- UTC Open by Selena (2007)
- Valencia (Santa Clarita) Challenger (2006–2007)
- Wrocław Open (2015–2017)
- Yinzhou International Men's Tennis Challenger (2011-2012, 2015-2019)
- Zagorka Cup (2009)
Other tournaments
- Aberto de Brasília
- Aberto de Florianópolis
- Aberto de Tênis do Rio Grande do Sul
- Aberto do Paraná de Tênis
- Aberto Rio Preto
- Aberto Santa Catarina de Tenis
- Acqua Dolomia Tennis Cup
- Adriatic Challenger
- Advantage Cars Prague Open
- Aegon GB Pro-Series Bath
- Aegon GB Pro-Series Glasgow
- Aegon Manchester Trophy
- Aegon Nottingham Challenge
- Aegon Pro-Series Loughborough
- Aegon Trophy
- Agri Cup
- Alessandria Challenger
- All Japan Indoor Tennis Championships
- American Express Istanbul Challenger
- Antalya Challenger
- Andria e Castel del Monte Challenger
- Aspria Tennis Cup
- Astana Challenger Capital Cup
- Astana Cup
- ATP Challenger Pingguo
- ATP Challenger Tour Finals
- ATP Challenger Trophy
- ATP Roller Open
- ATP Salzburg Indoors
- Bangkok Open I
- Bangkok Open II
- Bangkok Open III
- Bangkok Open IV
- Båstad Challenger
- Batman Cup
- Bauer Watertechnology Cup
- Beijing International Challenger
- BFD Challenger
- BH Telecom Indoors
- BH Tennis Open International Cup
- Black Forest Open
- BMW Tennis Championship
- Bonn Open
- BRD Arad Challenger
- BRD Brașov Challenger
- BRD Timișoara Challenger
- Bucher Reisen Tennis Grand Prix
- Burnie International
- Cachantún Cup (ATP)
- Cairo Open
- Calgary National Bank Challenger
- Caloundra International
- Camparini Gioielli Cup
- Campeonato Internacional de Tenis de Santos
- Campeonato Internacional de Tênis do Estado do Pará
- Challenger ATP de Salinas Diario Expreso
- Challenger de Buenos Aires
- Challenger Banque Nationale de Drummondville
- Challenger Banque Nationale de Gatineau
- Challenger Britania Zavaleta
- Challenger Ciudad de Guayaquil
- Challenger Dove Men+Care Concepcion
- Challenger en Los Andes – Quito
- Challenger La Manche
- Charles Sturt Adelaide International
- Charlottesville Men's Pro Challenger
- China International Suzhou
- Citta' di Vercelli – Trofeo Multimed
- City of Onkaparinga Tennis Challenger
- City of Playford Tennis International
- Claro Open Barranquilla
- Claro Open Cali
- Claro Open Floridablanca
- Claro Open Medellín
- Clube Tenis Porto Challenger
- Columbus Challenger
- Concurso Internacional de Tenis – San Sebastián
- Concurso Internacional de Tenis – Vigo
- Copa Ciudad de Tigre
- Copa Gobierno de Córdoba
- Copa Internacional de Tenis Total Digest
- Copa Petrobras Santiago
- Copa San Cristóbal
- Copa San Juan Gobierno
- Dobrich Challenger
- Delhi Open
- Dunlop World Challenge
- East Hotel Canberra Challenger
- Emami Kolkata Open
- Eskişehir Cup
- Fergana Challenger
- Franken Challenge
- GDD CUP International Challenger Guangzhou
- Gimcheon Challenger
- Guimarães Open
- Guzzini Challenger
- Gwangju Challenger
- Hong Kong ATP Challenger
- Hungarian Challenger Open
- Hyōgo Noah Challenger
- Indore Open ATP Challenger
- International Challenger Quanzhou
- International Challenger Zhangjiagang
- Internationaux de Nouvelle-Calédonie
- Internationaux de Tennis de Blois
- Internazionali Città di Brescia
- Internazionali di Manerbio – Trofeo Dimmidisì
- Internazionali di Tennis Città di Vicenza
- Internazionali di Tennis d'Abruzzo
- Internazionali di Tennis dell'Umbria
- Internazionali di Tennis di Cortina
- Internazionali di Tennis - Trofeo Faip–Perrel
- IPP Open
- IS Open São Paulo
- Isla de Gran Canaria – Ciudad de Telde
- İzmir Cup
- Jalisco Open
- Jinan International Open
- JSM Challenger of Champaign–Urbana
- Keio Challenger
- Knoxville Challenger
- Košice Open
- Kozerki Open
- KPIT MSLTA Challenger
- Kunal Patel SF Open
- Kunming Open
- Las Vegas Tennis Open
- Latrobe City Traralgon Challenger
- Launceston Tennis International
- Lermontov Cup
- Levene Gouldin & Thompson Tennis Challenger
- Lexington Challenger
- Lima Challenger
- Lincoln Challenger
- Lisboa Belém Open
- Manulife Singapore ATP Challenger
- Marbella Open
- Marburg Open
- MarketBeat Open
- Macedonian Open
- MasterCard Tennis Cup
- Mersin Cup
- Milo Open Cali
- Modena Challenger
- Mordovia Cup
- Morelos Open
- Morocco Tennis Tour – Casablanca
- Morocco Tennis Tour – Casablanca II
- Morocco Tennis Tour – Kenitra
- Morocco Tennis Tour – Marrakech
- Morocco Tennis Tour – Meknes
- Morocco Tennis Tour – Mohammedia
- Morocco Tennis Tour – Rabat
- Morocco Tennis Tour – Tanger
- Movistar Open
- Napa Valley Challenger
- Nature's Way Sydney Tennis International
- Nielsen Pro Tennis Championships
- Nordic Naturals Challenger
- NorthBay Healthcare Men's Pro Championships
- Oberstaufen Cup
- Odlum Brown Vancouver Open
- Open BNP Paribas Banque de Bretagne
- Open Bogotá
- Open Citta' della Disfida
- Open de la Réunion
- Open Diputación Ciudad de Pozoblanco
- Open Harmonie mutuelle
- Open Tarragona Costa Daurada
- Penza Cup
- Peugeot Tennis Cup
- Philippine Open ATP Manila Challenger
- Pingshan Open
- Poprad-Tatry Challenger
- Potchefstroom Open
- President's Cup
- Prosperita Open
- PTT İstanbul Cup
- Punta Open
- Racket Club Open
- Rai Open
- RC Hotel Open
- Rijeka Open
- Rio Quente Resorts Tennis Classic
- Rio Tennis Classic
- Riviera di Rimini Challenger
- Rome Garden Open
- s Tennis Masters Challenger
- Samarkand Challenger
- Samsung Securities Cup
- San Luis Open Challenger Tour
- Santaizi Challenger
- São Léo Open
- São Paulo Challenger de Tênis
- Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open
- Savannah Challenger
- SDA Tennis Open
- Seguros Bolívar Open Pereira
- Schwaben Open
- Shenzhen Luohu Challenger
- Sibiu Open
- Slovenia Open
- Sparkasse Challenger Val Gardena Südtirol
- Sparta Prague Open
- Sporting Challenger
- Status Athens Open
- Stockton Challenger
- STRABAG Challenger Open
- Svijany Open
- TAC Cup China International Nanjing Challenger
- Tallahassee Tennis Challenger
- Tampere Open
- The Tarka Challenger
- Taroii Open de Tênis
- Tashkent Challenger
- TEAN International
- Tempe Challenger
- Tennis Championships of Maui
- Tennislife Cup
- Tetra Pak Tennis Cup
- The Hague Open
- Thindown Challenger Biella
- Tianjin Health Industry Park
- Tiburon Challenger
- Togliatti Cup
- Torino Challenger
- Torneo Città di Como
- Torneio Internacional Masculino de Tênis
- Torneo Internacional Challenger León
- Torneo de Mendoza
- Torneo Omnia Tenis Ciudad Madrid
- Trani Cup
- Tretorn SERIE+ tournaments
- Trofeo Paolo Corazzi
- Trofeo Ricardo Delgado Aray
- Trofeo Stefano Bellaveglia
- Trophée des Alpilles
- Tunis Open
- USTA LA Tennis Open
- Venice Challenge Save Cup
- Verrazzano Open
- Vietnam Open
- Vilnius Open
- Visit Panamá Cup de Chitré
- Visit Panamá Tennis Cup
- Vivo Tennis Cup
- Voit Mexico City Open
- Volkswagen Challenger
- Winnipeg National Bank Challenger
- Wolffkran Open
- Wuhai Challenger
- Yeongwol Challenger Tennis
- Yugra Cup
- Zagreb Open
- Zhuhai Open
See also
References
External links
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