Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments: Governance, Entry, Wild Cards — UPSC Prelims PYQ...

Which of the following statements with regard to the Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments is/are correct?

1. The tournaments have a shared governance structure establishing the partnership among the four Grand Slam tournaments.
2. They are open for entry to all internationally ranked tennis players above the age of 14.
3. There is a limitation on the number of ‘Wild Cards’ a player may receive to compete in a Grand Slam Tournament.

Select the answer using the code given below:

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The Grand Slam Rules make it clear that Grand Slam Tennis (GST) operates under a shared governance framework jointly managed by the four Grand Slam tournaments.

Statement 2 is correct

• The four Grand Slam Tournaments are open for entry to all internationally ranked tennis players with a ranking of 500 or better based on merit and without discrimination, subject only to the conditions herein set forth and to those provisions of the WTA Age Eligibility Rule adopted by the Grand Slam Tournaments and provided, however, that minors under the age of fourteen (14) shall not be eligible for entry. For purposes of this Rule, the player’s age as of the first day of the tournament’s Main Draw shall be used.
• Note: Statement 2 appears to be incorrect based on the Grand Slam Rules, which state that all internationally ranked tennis players with a ranking of 500 or better are eligible to enter Grand Slam tournaments. However, as per the UPSC Provisional Answer Key, the correct answer has been given as “1 and 2 only.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• No rule limits the number of wild cards an individual player may receive across Grand Slam tournaments. Wild cards are given at each organiser’s discretion.
• Note: It is neither practical nor necessary for an aspirant to know every such highly specific obscure information. We recommend aspirants avoid unnecessary guesswork in such highly factual questions.

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only; Difficulty Level: Hard