The ITTF Executive Committee approved the latest proposition formulated by the World Ranking Working Group (WRWG).

Basically, the ITTF Table Tennis Ranking of a player is composed of the sum of the points of the best eight results achieved in the last 12 months. An objective merit-based method, it is the used for entries and seeding at ITTF and WTT events.

However, some special measures were introduced to mitigate the impact of Covid-19.

The Executive Committee has agreed to the following recommendations:

• Total removal of the “initial points”

In 2020, a transition phase was implemented to adapt the Ranking to the new WTT events’ structure. Thus “initial points” were introduced, adding a fixed number of points to the best eight results gained; the initial value was 80 per cent of a player’s total points in December 2020.

Due to Covid-19 and the difficulty to organise events, the “initial points” were maintained for a longer period and reduced at a slower pace. As of January 2022, they had been reduced to 20 per cent.

The total number of events in 2021 and 2022 has afforded players the opportunity to gain ranking points. Removing the “initial points” allows players who performed well in recent tournaments to climb the listings and gain entry to higher tier events.

• Extension of the validity of all points gained during 2021 senior events

Considering the remaining challenges to travel and compete, as well as the limited number of top-tier events, it has been decided that points awarded at 2021 senior events have their validity extended and shall expire at the earliest on 2023 – week one. The final duration regarding these points will be determined by a resolution of the WRWG before Sunday 1st January 2023.

• Restriction of the number of youth events counting towards the senior ranking

Accounting for the fact that on average, youth players have competed in more events than senior players this year and last, only a maximum of four youth events shall count towards a youth player on the senior ranking; this will be reviewed by the WRWG on or before Sunday 1st January 2023.

The changes will come into effect as and from the “2022 ITTF Table Tennis World Ranking – Week 18”; available on Tuesday 3rd May here.