What is the Grand Slam Player Development Programme (GSPDP)/ITF Touring Team?

Each year, groups of talented players from developing tennis nations are invited by the ITF to join Grand Slam Player Development Programme/ITF Touring Teams.

The players, who are aged 18 and under, travel as part of a team on carefully crafted tours, have access to high-performance coaches and are exposed to events outside of their region.

Without the Touring Team programme, which is financed through the Grand Slam Player Development Programme and operated by the ITF, these players would unlikely be able to compete at such a high level of competition. 

It is a programme which dates back to 1987 when the ITF, with the support of the four Grand Slams, decided to give players from less developed tennis nations exposure to the world's best junior tournaments.

In short, the Touring Team is a key development initiative – both on and off the tennis court – and paves the way for players to ascend to the professional game.

During 2024, the Touring Team will travel to all regions of the world and compete across the tennis spectrum: at ITF World Tennis Tour level, under-18 junior events and top-level under-14 regional and international events.

 

The Grand Slam Player Development Programme/ITF Touring Team is currently in Europe. Who are the players involved? 

A Team – 18 and under

Boys:

Kim Jangjun (KOR), Marko Maksimovic (SRB), Donghyun Hwang (KOR), Alaa Trifi (TUN)

Girls:

Antonia Vergara (CHI), Elizara Yaneva (BUL), Rositsa Dencheva (BUL), Sonja Zhiyenbayeva (KAZ)

Coaches:

Roberta Burzagli (BRA), Robert Raguz (CRO)

Strength and Conditioning Coach: David Talon (ESP)

 

B Team – 17 and under

Boys:

Yeonsu Jeong (KOR), Stefan Haita (ROU), Gabriel Ghetu (ROU), Oskari Paldanius (FIN)

Girls:

Mika Buchnik (ISR), Jana Hossam Salaheldin Omar (EGY), Lidia Podgorichani (THA), Francesca Maguina Bunikowska (PER)

Coaches:

Mohamed Ramadan (EGY), Sarah Kadi (CAN)

Strength and Conditioning Coach: David Talon (ESP)

 

What is the schedule of Grand Slam Player Development Programme/ITF Touring Team in Europe?

A Team – 18 and under

9-12 May: Training camp in Italy (on clay)

13-18 May: J300 Santa Croce Sull’Arno (ITA)

20-26 May: J500 Milan (ITA)

27 May-1 June: Training camp in Italy (on clay)

2-9 June: Roland Garros Junior Championships (FRA)

Two-week break

24-28 June: Training camp in England (on grass)

29 June-5 July: J300 Roehampton (GBR)

6-14 July: Junior Championships, Wimbledon (GBR)

 

B Team – 17 and under

3-6 May: Training camp in Italy (on clay)

7-11 May: J200 Prato (ITA)

13-18 May: J300 Santa Croce Sull’Arno (ITA)

20-26 May: J500 Milan (ITA)

27 May-1 June: J300 Charleroi-Marcinelle (BEL) or training camp

2-9 June: Roland Garros Junior Championships (FRA) – depending on results

 

There are numerous players who are either in the top 50 of the ATP and WTA Rankings or have featured within the top 50 in the last few years that have previously represented Grand Slam Player Development Programme/ITF Touring Teams. Who are they?

Women:

Zhang Shuai (2001,2003), Sorana Cirstea (2003), Victoria Azarenka (2004), Irina-Camelia Begu (2004, 2007), Simona Halep (2005), Ons Jabeur (2008), Aliaksandra Sasnovich (2009), Jelena Ostapenko (2010, 2011, 2012), Anhelina Kalinina (2010, 2011, 2013), Camila Osorio (2014, 2016, 2017), Qinwen Zheng (2018)

Men:

Grigor Dimitrov (2004, 2005, 2006), Cristian Garin (2006), Ilya Ivashka (2008), Lloyd Harris (2010, 2013, 2014), Sebastian Baez (2015)