How Do You Get Into the Tennis Hall of Fame?
Michael Chang was just inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame this past weekend. In professional golf, there are clear criteria regarding how a player becomes eligible for the Hall of Fame, e.g. 10 years on the PGA Tour and 10 wins or 2 majors. A player must then normally receive 65% of the returned ballots to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. For professional tennis, which has a combined Hall of Fame for both men
and women, there are no clear criteria regarding which players are eligible to be considered for induction. The 21 person International Tennis Hall of Fame nominating committee meets at Wimbledon each year and determines who will be on the ballot for the following year. The stated eligibility requirements are the following:
• Active as competitors in the sport within the last 20 years prior to consideration.
• Not a significant factor on the ATP Tour or the WTA Tour within five years prior to induction.
• A distinguished record of competitive achievement at the highest international level, with consideration given to integrity, sportsmanship and character.
To be inducted as a Recent Player, a panel of the international tennis media votes on Recent Player nominees; a 75% favorable vote is required for Enshrinement. This is all very vague. As a result, there are several talented players who may not be inducted in the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. For example, there are some players who have won two Grand Slam titles who have been passed over and others who only won one Slam and have been inducted. It’s time to establish clear-cut criteria so that all tennis fans understand the rules and all tennis players can recognize what’s necessary to “make the cut.”
• Active as competitors in the sport within the last 20 years prior to consideration.
• Not a significant factor on the ATP Tour or the WTA Tour within five years prior to induction.
• A distinguished record of competitive achievement at the highest international level, with consideration given to integrity, sportsmanship and character.
To be inducted as a Recent Player, a panel of the international tennis media votes on Recent Player nominees; a 75% favorable vote is required for Enshrinement. This is all very vague. As a result, there are several talented players who may not be inducted in the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. For example, there are some players who have won two Grand Slam titles who have been passed over and others who only won one Slam and have been inducted. It’s time to establish clear-cut criteria so that all tennis fans understand the rules and all tennis players can recognize what’s necessary to “make the cut.”
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