From print outs on gigantic paper sheets and late-night phone calls chasing results to today’s real-time system, straight off a Chair Umpire’s electronic scorecard, the Pepperstone ATP Rankings have been an indispensable barometer connecting every level of professional tennis since its debut on 23 August 1973.
Just as tennis experienced a wide-spread technology revolution, in how racquets and balls are manufactured, and court surfaces are prepared, 50 years ago today, the Pepperstone ATP Rankings provided an intellectual revolution that quickly earned legitimacy and credibility among players, tournaments and fans. Incredibly, to-date, only 28 legendary performers have reached the universal goal of any tennis player; what kids dream of, and pros fight tooth and nail for: to become the No. 1 in the world. And fewer still, just 18, have finished the season as year-end No. 1.
Without the foresight of ATP founding fathers, the rankings landscape may look entirely different. From the dawn of Open Era tennis in April 1968, rankings were largely a subjective calculation, generated by national tennis associations, circuits and a number of eminent tennis journalists who compiled their own lists.
“Tingay’s was really the only one that counted,” recalls former ATP European Director and acclaimed tennis writer Richard Evans, referring to the rankings produced by The Daily Telegraph’s Lance Tingay. “National Associations produced their own rankings, which meant that tournament committees attempted to secure the No. 1 player from each country,” remembers John Barrett, a former player and ATP Board member. “The major championships permitted associations to nominate four players from their country.”
Jack Kramer (left) and Cliff Drysdale. Photo Credit: PA Images via Getty Images
Yet in an instant, tournament entries determined by discretion were consigned to history. Before the advent of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, it was all low tech and with no real purpose, as tournaments invited players on the basis of their reputation as Stan Smith, the World No. 1 in 1971-72, highlights. “The history leading up to the ranking system included a ‘star system’ as far as entries into the tournaments. Some players would be on a list as players that could help sell tickets for the event and they would have priority over others in acceptance into tournaments. This caused great concern for those that didn’t have a big name and were borderline getting into events. There were…
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