Ninth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

Athletes and spectators depend on the tennis ranking system to represent the truest caliber of athletic performance; without trust, the integrity of the game is lost and uncertainty thrives. We see the most obvious signs of derailment in the current system with players placements being inaccurately represented and being rewarded during times of infrequent participation. Therefore, the only solution is an upgraded version that diminishes this perceived trust gap by placing more value on participation. Our approach involves performing week-by-week case studies of top players using the current formula and our proposed change, the results of which reveals ranking inflation. The newly enhanced version is accompanied by a web-based software package to automatically calculate adjusted player rankings based on a responsive, multi-faceted formula that also generates projected point scenarios and provides separate rankings for the three court surfaces. In short, it recognizes and counters the following concerns: mistrust in the system, competition equality, fan engagement, and tennis involvement worldwide. Based on the aforementioned issues we developed a system where: Points are deducted from players who abstain from the tour or have a losing streak for a prolonged period Extra points are awarded for consecutive tournament wins within a specified time frame. Points are awarded for multiple high level tournament wins in a single season. Surface rankings are calculated to supplement an overall ranking V. A scenario simulator to help fans better follow the sport and motivate athletes to play harder and achieve higher goals.