In men's professional tennis, there are two tiers of players. The top group play on the ATP World Tour, while the second level players compete on the ATP Challenger Tour. There is actually a third tier, called the ITF Men's Circuit, but its Futures Tournaments are primarily for younger players trying to move up their world rankings.
History of Challengers
ATP Challenger events have been going on since 1978, with the first tournament held in New Zealand. Eliot Teltscher, who went on to be ranked as high as sixth in the world and later went on to coach Pete Sampras, won the first men's single championship. Total prize money for the tournament was $25,000. By 2011, Challenger tournament prize money was often $100,000 or more.
How Challengers Advance
As players accumulate higher and higher rankings on the Challenger circuit, they can become eligible to compete on the ATP World Tour. The South African ATP Rankings system rewards players for how they finish in every tournament. With more than 175 tournaments in more than 40 countries, in 2008 as an example, players who compete a lot and do well in their tournaments can accumulate rankings points quickly. Total prize money on the 2008 Challenger Tour was $10.7 million.
Challengers to Champions
The ATP notes that most top players in the world worked their way through the Challenger ranks. Some big names include Grand Slam champions Roger Federer, Pete Sampras and Rafael Nadal. Fans who attend Challenger tournaments may find themselves cheering for future Grand Slam champs as well.
Women "Challengers"
While women's professional tennis does not have a "Challenger" circuit, per se, players at that level have the International Tennis Federation's Women's Circuit. It operates at a tier just below the Women's Tennis Association Tour. The Women's Circuit includes women at the equivalent of the men's Futures and Challenger level.
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