I have had a few e-mails regarding this quite complicated system, but it really is easy once you know.

So here we go-

Q. What is the ATP Race?

A. The ATP Race is a calendar-year points race which reflects the performances of the world's best players in the current year. The Race determines the year-end world No.1 and which eight players qualify for Tennis Masters Cup. 

Q. How does the ATP Race work?

A. Every Player, regardless of his performances in the previous year, starts with zero points. Players count 18 performances in their ATP Race total. Players eligible to enter the Grand Slams and ATP Masters Series events must count those events and their best five other results from the International Series events. The Tennis Masters Cup will count as an additional 19th tournament for the eight players who qualify.

Unlike the South African Airways ATP Ranking, results from Challenger events do not count towards a player's ATP Race position. For each Grand Slam or ATP Masters Series event a player is not accepted, he may count one extra International Series event towards his ATP Race position (and ATP Ranking). 

Q. What if a player is injured and can't play?

A. If eligible to play in one of the Grand Slam or ATP Masters Series Events, a player must count the points from these tournaments, even if it is 'a zero pointer' because he missed the event. Just as in Formula One and numerous other sports, if a competitor misses a race or an event, he loses his chances to earn points. top

Q. What happens if two or more players are tied?

A. When two or more players have the same total number of points, ties shall be broken as follows:

(i) the most total points from the Grand Slams, ATP Masters Series Tournaments and Tennis Masters Cup, and if still tied, then,

(ii) the fewest events played, counting all missed Grand Slams, ATP Masters Series Tournaments and Tennis Masters Cup they could have played (as described under 1. above) as if played, and if still tied, then,

(iii) the highest number of points from one single Tournament, then, if needed, the second highest, and so on.

For example, last season David Nalbandian won the Master Series event in Paris (which netted him a cool 500 points). That means that should he finish as runner up this time round (350 points),as he will lose the 500 points earned after the year is up so it will result in a net loss of 150 points from last year.

The bigger the tournament, the more points there are on offer.

The official points breakdown is as follows:

Grand Slam: Winner-1000, Final- 700, Semi- 450, Quarters- 250, Round of 16 - 150, Round of 32 - 75, Round of 64 - 35, Round of 128 - 5

Master Series: Winner- 500, Final - 350, Semi -225, Quarters- 125, Round of 16- 75, Round of 32- 35, Round of 64- 5

The International Series events vary somwhat depending on the size of the tournament but a rough guide is: Winner- 250, Final- 175, Semi -110, Quarter - 60, Round of 16 - 25, Round of 32- 15

Hope you got it!!