For this podcast, we have done a special feature on the lesser reported ITF Tour. This tour actually exists for the majority of professional tennis players but is strange in the fact that it doesn’t really provide a good living for those playing on it.
To discuss this rather unusual situation Last Word On Tennis have recruited two professional tennis players and a tournament director. The guests all have different points of view on life and it makes for an interesting discussion.
Mark Whitehouse
Mark was a latecomer to ITF Tour tennis having decided to give it a try more seriously after completing his studies at university. He is due to move up to #613 in the ATP rankings after his quarterfinal appearance in Sunderland.
Richard Joyner
Richard is the tournament director for ITF Sunderland. He also held this role for ITF Barnstaple a couple of weeks earlier and has worked for the LTA as a tournament director for a number of years.
Samantha Murray Sharan
Sam has played ITF Tour events for over a decade and has multiple titles to her name. Murray Sharan’s highest ranking was #165 but is closing in on that high once more as her current live ranking is #214. This also makes her Great Britain’s #4 at the moment. She has won three ITF singles titles, her first coming in 2012, and twenty doubles titles, the first coming 15 years ago in 2005!
Listen to the podcast on Podbean by hitting the play button below.
Podcast #6: Life on the ITF Tour Special from ITF Sunderland Main Photo:
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – JANUARY 22: A general view of the stadium ahead of the Checkatrade Trophy match between Sunderland and Manchester City U21 at The Stadium of Light on January 22, 2019, in Sunderland, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images)
