THIS IS THE ATP CHALLENGER TOUR: A LITTLE GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS

From August 27 to September 1, the Rafa Nadal Open by Movistar returns, the most important tournament held annually at the academy and which is part of the ATP Challenger Tour category.

Players build their careers and enhance their legends in the big matches, in the relentless battles that remain in the memory of all spectators. Finals of major tournaments and relentless fights to occupy the highest positions in the rankings. All this magnifies and mythologizes the value of our sport, but sometimes, the paths that lead them to glory are less known. The process is a fundamental part of the final triumph and as part of that process, of that path, in tennis we find the Challenger Tour.

The ATP Challenger Tour is a series of ATP tennis tournaments that constitute the second level of professional tennis, behind the ATP Tour and ahead of the third level, the ITF World Tennis Tour. It is the prelude to the elite of world tennis. All players who aspire to reach the highest-ranked and most renowned ATP tournaments must play this circuit that allows them to win matches and grow in the world ranking until they have access to the professional ATP tournaments. Did Roger Federer have to play the Challenger Tour? Correct, even Roger Federer had to play on this circuit.

The circuit is divided into tournaments in four categories based on the points awarded and the prizes they distribute: Challenger 50, Challenger 75, Challenger 100 and Challenger 125. For the last two seasons, the Challenger 175 have also been incorporated, which are the three tournaments on the circuit that are played in the second week of the longer Masters 1000 (Indian Wells, Madrid and Rome). The number associated with the category indicates the points awarded in the ATP ranking for each of these tournaments. The more points the tournament usually awards, the better the ranking required to access them.

The circuit is growing and growing every year, providing tennis players with better and more comprehensive services. In 2022, 195 tournaments of this category were held around the world and the prize money exceeded 20 million euros. A historic figure.

This week many of the tennis players of the future will be playing in Manacor. Did you know that you could be enjoying the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar courts of a future Roland Garros winner? Always remember that the Challenger circuit was a fundamental part of his path.