Grand Slam Player Development Programme Touring Team: who, where, when
What is the Grand Slam Player Development Programme (GSPDP)/ITF Touring Team?
Each year, groups of talented players from developing tennis nations are invited to join Grand Slam Player Development Programme/ITF Touring Teams, which are financed through the Grand Slam Player Development Programme.
The players travel as part of team, have access to Grand Slam Player Development Programme coaches and gain exposure to events outside of their region. Membership of the Touring Team allows this to happen. Without it, it is unlikely that those players would be able to compete at such a high level of competition.
The Touring Team is a key development initiative and essentially opens the door for aspiring players to compete at regional and international junior competitions, paving the way for their ascent to the professional game.
During 2022, the Grand Slam Player Development Programme has teams competing at ITF World Tennis Tour level, under-18 junior events and top level under-14 regional and international events. Teams operate in all six regions globally.
The Grand Slam Player Development Programme/ITF Touring Team is currently in Europe. Who are the players involved?
International 18 and under GSPDP/ITF A Team to Europe
Girls:
Boys:
Lautaro Midon Ballesteros (ARG)
Martin Antonio Vergara del Puerto (PAR)
Connor Henry van Schalkwyk (NAM)
Coaches: Juan Manuel Esparcia, Peter Russegger, Carlos Valle
International 17 and under GSPDP/ITF B Team to Europe
Girls:
Boys:
Benjamin Federico Torrealba (CHI)
Coaches: Leandro de Afini, Vanja Stuhli
What is the schedule of Grand Slam Player Development Programme/ITF Touring Team in Europe?
International 18 and under GSPDP/ITF A Team to Europe
5-8 May: training camp in Italy (on clay)
9-15 May: J1 Santa Croce Sull-Arno (ITA)
16-22 May: JA Milan (ITA)
23-28 May: training camp in Italy (on clay)
29 May - 5 June: Roland Garros Junior Championships
Two-week break
20-25 June: J1 Nottingham (GBR) or training camp in England (on grass)
26 June -1 July: J1 Roehampton (GBR)
2-10 July: The Junior Championships, Wimbledon
International 17 and under GSPDP/ITF B Team to Europe
22-24 April: training camp in Italy
25 April – 1 May: J2 Salsomaggiore (ITA)
3-7 May: J2 Prato (ITA)
9-15 May: J1 Santa Croce Sull-Arno (ITA)
16-22 May: JA Milan (ITA)
23-28 May: J1 Charleroi-Marcinelle (BEL)
29 May - 5 June: Roland Garros Junior Championships
Which players in the top 50 of the ATP and WTA rankings previously represented Grand Slam Player Development Programme/ITF Touring Teams?
Women:
Zhang Shuai (2001,2003)
Sorana Cirstea (2003)
Victoria Azarenka (2004)
Simona Halep (2005)
Ons Jabeur (2008)
Aliaksandra Sasnovich (2009)
Jelena Ostapenko (2010, 2011, 2012)
Mayar Sherif (2010, 2011, 2012)
Anhelina Kalinina (2010, 2011, 2013)
Women approaching the top 50 of the WTA rankings:
Elena Gabriela Ruse (2014)
Camila Osorio Serrano (2014, 2016, 2017)
Irina-Camelia Begu (2004, 2007)
Men:
Grigor Dimitrov (2004, 2005, 2006)
Cristian Garin (2006)
Ilya Ivashka (2008)
Lloyd Harris (2010, 2013, 2014)
Sebastian Baez (2015)