COMPETITIVE SYSTEM IN PROFESSIONAL TENNIS: EVOLUTION AND MODERNITY

Introduction. The modern competition system in professional was formed and developed over two centuries. At different historical stages, it was influenced by various factors, which led to the reformation and replacement of individual components of the system, but contributed to a constant increase in its organizational and economic efficiency. Purpose is to identify the peculiarities of the formation and development of the components in professional tennis competition system in the context of history and modernity. Material and methods. The research was conducted using materials of a theoretical nature. In particular, modern works were analyzed, compared and systematized, in which separate components of the competition system in professional tennis are defined and described, as well as factors that determine the direction of improvement of tournaments or tours, as well as the system of competitions in the sport as a whole. Results. The professional direction of tennis has been developing since the 1820s. It began to gain high popularity since 1968, when the " Open Era tennis" was declared. From that time to the present day, the four Grand Slam tournaments remain the main competitions in the competition system of professional tennis players. Starting from the 1970s, the tour system of organizing tennis competitions acquires no less importance. Today, the leading role in the structure of the competition calendar belongs to the following competitions and tours (in order of importance): ATP Finals, ATP Masters 1000, ATP Cup, Tour ATP 500, Tour ATP 250, ATP Challenger Tour. All these competitions provide high prizes for the leaders. In addition, in the structure of the system of professional tennis competitions, an important place belongs to the ATP rating, which on the one hand determines the status (point) of each competition, and on the other – the positions of athletes in competitive races. Conclusions. In professional tennis today has formed a complex, extensive and at the same time highly commercialized competition system, which contains a large number of components. The formation of this system took place with constant consideration of factors of a social, economic, political, and technological nature that were/are relevant at one time or another.