The validity of the ATP Tour ranking system is examined by
Doug Smith in USA TODAY. The computer rankings have been based
counting a player's 14 best finishes in a 52-week period. Smith
writes when "a system doesn't reflect a player's total
performance, the value of No. 1 is diminished and the integrity
of the sport becomes suspect." NBC tennis analyst Bud Collins
calls the system an "innovative fraud." Most top pros "agree the
system is bad for the game," but say they "are powerless to
change" it because tournament directors won't allow it. But Gene
Scott, Tournament Dir of the Kremlin Cup, says players control
the rankings and, if they "make enough stink about it, it would
be changed in an instant." Smith notes the players' "reluctance"
to change is tied to appearance fees -- as more than half of the
ATP Tour's 86 events allow such guarantees. Smith: "Rather than
allow the sport to be subjected to even an appearance of
impropriety, the game's top players ought to show the courage and
leadership necessary to affect change based on higher principals,
not higher purses" (USA TODAY, 4/18).
