How they got to Chicago

The format for this year’s World Champs has changed slightly from previous years – the new PSA structure abolished qualifying, so while recent men’s events have featured 64 draws with 16 qualifying places available (48 main draw and 64 qualifying players including 8 WSF nominations), and women’s events have been 32 draws with 48 qualifying, this year’s will be straight 64-player draws.

Naturally the world rankings are the main factor in qualification, with the top players in the world at the closing date automatically qualifying, but extra qualifying spots have been made available through the year in selected challenger events – the winner qualifying for the worlds.