22-month cycle: ATP announces new rankings procedure when play resumes

When the ATP tour starts back up in August, players will be able to compete without the immediate pressure of defending strong results at events like the US Open, Roland Garros and ATP Finals.

On Monday, the ATP announced its typical 52-week ranking system would shift to a 22-month cycle dating back to March 2019 and ending in December 2020. There are several layers behind the decision, but among them include providing fairness to the condensed 2020 calendar and not penalizing players who wish, or cannot, compete again this year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic—and its ongoing safety concerns.

The ‘Best 18’ results calculation will still be in effect. Players will not be able to count the same tournament in their point total, retaining the best result from either 2019 or 2020, and points added in 2020 will remain on a player’s ranking for 52 weeks, or until the event is staged in 2021, whichever scenario comes first.

“The temporary changes to the Rankings system have been made in consultation with the four Grand Slam tournaments and the ITF. Should the 2021 season be impacted by Covid-19, further adjustments to Rankings will be considered,” an ATP statement read.

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic stood just four weeks behind Pete Sampras for second place all-time with weeks at No. 1 when the tour’s ranking freeze went into effect on March 16, 2020. In 2021, the ATP intends on recommencing with players defending tournament points in its standard week-by-week basis.