ATP Ranking 1973 Overview

The basic rule for a tournament to be eligible for the ATP ranking in 1973 was simple: a draw of at least 16 players and a minimum prize money of $20,000. This discovery opens new perspectives on evaluating tournaments from that era: the events awarding points were highly heterogeneous, including the Grand Prix, the WCT, the Riordan circuit (the “fake” one created by Connors), and the little-known European Spring Circuit on European clay.

To make sense of this variety, it is useful to analyze the logic behind it:

• There were six categories, unlike the three we have today, and the difference in points between them was less pronounced.
• Winning a top-category tournament (the Slams) awarded 50 points.
• The next category awarded 35 points, so the proportion compared to today was different: 50% lower than current points, 30% lower compared to 1973.
• Even between categories B and C, the difference was minimal, somewhat comparable to the 1000/500 difference today, but less marked.

Key points regarding classification

• Triple Crown (Slams, excluding the Australian Open): considered the top tournaments regardless of prize money, with draws of 128 players and best-of-5 set matches.
• Exceptions like Las Vegas: despite a prize money higher than the Slams, the draw was 32 and matches were best-of-3 sets, placing it in a lower category.
• Upgrading for tradition: some tournaments with low prize money were promoted to higher categories, such as the Australian Open (from F to D) or the Queen’s Club tournament, due to the Wimbledon boycott.
• Early-round points: no points were awarded in the first rounds.

Conclusion

Slams always held a privileged position, regardless of draw size or prize money. Even with relatively low prize money, like the French Open, they were considered Triple Crown events. Conversely, tournaments like Las Vegas, despite their wealth, remained in lower categories, while historically important events like the Australian Open were promoted.