Which of the following statements with regard to the Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments is/are correct?
- The tournaments have a shared governance structure establishing the partnership among the four Grand Slam tournaments.
- They are open for entry to all internationally ranked tennis players above the age of 14.
- 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:
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The answer comes straight from the Official Grand Slam Rule Book. Statement 1 is correct: the rule book says that, through a shared governance structure, Grand Slam Tennis is the collaboration between the four Grand Slam tournaments, managed by a board of the four tournament chairs. Statement 2 is correct: the Open Competition rule makes the four tournaments open for entry to internationally ranked players on merit, subject to the WTA Age Eligibility Rule, and bars minors under 14. Statement 3 is incorrect: a separate rule, titled Wild Cards / No Limitation, says there is no limit on the number of wild cards a player may receive to compete in the Grand Slam tournaments. Hence 1 and 2 only. The rule book's entry clause also carries a ranking condition (500 or better) that statement 2 leaves out, which is the point some aspirants contest; UPSC publishes its final key only after the final result. Read more: Grand Slam Tennis Governance: Board, Rules & Eligibility.