Wild Cards Offer Golden Ticket to the Pros
Vania King is one of several rising stars who received a wild card into the 2008 Pacific Life Open qualifiers.
Michael Cramton
Active.com
In 2001 the world was witness to one of the most remarkable wild-card victories in tennis.
Ranked 125 at the time, three-time Wimbeldon qualifier Goran Ivansevic was granted a wild-card entry into the Wimbeldon main draw by the Lawn Tennis Association. In a showcase of strength and determination, Ivanisevic powered his way through the main draws to the final match against Patrick Rafter.
What ensued was an epic three-hour, five-set battle that left Ivanisvic victorious over the world No. 2. It proved to be the highlight of Ivanisevic’s career, securing his name in tennis history as the only wild-card entrant to win Wimbeldon.
Today, wild cards serve as a strategic opportunity for aspiring players who otherwise lack the standard qualifications to enter the professional tennis circuit.
There are two types of wild cards: The first offers special admission into a tournament draw awarded by event organizers. These are typically offered to players who otherwise would not have qualified based on their professional ranking: players from the tournament’s home country, promising young athletes, players that are likely to draw a large crowd, or those who have dropped in ranking and are attempting a comeback.
The other type of wild card is won through a
pre-qualifying tournament. Players who enter pre-qualifying events are typically unranked or have a low ranking by the Association of Tennis Professionals and are looking to advance in the professional circuit. These players are often local favorites, collegiate varsity players or ATP-ranked pros looking to improve their rankings by achieving a greater advancement within a tournament.
Pre-qualifiers are also a good way for young players to test their mettle on the pro circuit.
“They are basically an open doorway to an otherwise exclusive tournament, so there is a big draw for the event with a feeling that anyone could win,” said Adnan Zaidi, former college varsity player and pre-qualifier veteran. “Naturally, the crème of the crop will rise to victory."
Most surprisingly is the rising number of ATP events that are now offering pre-qualifying tournaments. The U.S. Open, SAP Open and Pacific Life Open all offer pre-qualifying tournaments as an opportunity for up-and-coming players to enter the main competition.
Since 2006, the Pacific Life Open has experienced continuing success in offering a pre-qualifier. Considered by many to be the "Grand Slam of the West," the Pacific Life Open is the fifth most-attended tennis tournament next to the Grand Slams, taking place each spring at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California.
The
Pacific Life Open Pre-Qualifier features a two-tiered competition designed to provide both men and women players the opportunity to earn a spot in the main qualifying draws.
“This is an exciting and fun event for us, as it provides the opportunity for any player with a dream of competing at the highest level of professional tennis the chance to qualify,” said tournament director Steve Simon.
The event is typical of pre-qualifiers in the U.S. It features a two-stage tournament beginning with the women’s and men’s draw challenge round, each containing a field of 64-players. Typically, Challenger events attract exceptional, yet unranked players from high school and college tennis, and low-ranked ATP players looking for a berth into the qualifying rounds.
Two male and two female finalists advance to the pre-qualifier tournament where they face-off against two WTA and ATP players. The winner receives wild-card entry into the Pacific Life Open qualifying draws.
Technically, tournaments that offer pre-qualifying events are open to anyone.
For young hopefuls entering into the world of professional tennis, pre-qualifying tournaments make tangible the goal of unseating Ivanisevic for the title of most remarkable wild-card win.