The Table Tennis calendar is on the verge of a change. Now the ITTF WJC (World Junior Circuit) is giving way to a new system, WTT (World Table Tennis) Youth Series. Together with its senior equivalent, the WTT Series, the new system would nurture talent and allow for players’ smooth transition, from grassroots to the international level. The Youth Series features two tiers – Youth Contender and Youth Star Contender, each featuring U-11, U-13, U-15, U-17, and U-19 age categories. The inaugural event will feature Singles and Doubles but no Mixed Doubles.
WTT Youth Star Contenders:
The WTT Youth Contenders is a series of 30 events, where upcoming paddlers in various age categories would compete for the world ranking points. The top performers in the WTT Youth Contenders would feature in the WTT Youth Star Contenders, the next stage in their evolution journey. The WTT Youth Star Contenders is also a series of events that would be hosted across multiple cities by the local organizing committees. The first of the events is scheduled for May 18, 2021 at Tunis, while the concluding one starts on 19 Oct 2021 in Wladyslawowo, Poland.
Table 1: Schedule for the inaugural WTT Youth Star Contenders
| Venue | Event start | Event end | Girls events start / end | Boys events start / end | Prize fund |
| Tunis, Tunisia | 18 May 2021 | 22 May 2021 | 18 – 21 May | 19 – 22 May | $17,000 |
| Otočec, Slovenia | 15 June 2021 | 19 June 2021 | 15 – 18 June | 16 – 19 June | $17,000 |
| TBC | 10 Aug 2021 | 14 Aug 2021 | 10 – 13 Aug | 11 – 14 Aug | TBC |
| Lisbon, Portugal | 21 Sep 2021 | 25 Sep 2021 | 21 – 24 Sep | 22 – 24 Sep | $17,000 |
| Wladyslawowo, Poland | 19 Oct 2021 | 23 Oct 2021 | 19 – 22 Oct | 20 – 23 Oct | $17,000 |
Prize Money:
The new system ensures a higher prize fund for “high-level event production”. The apex TT body, WTT will bear the purse and production costs, drawing money from the organizing committees.
Table 2: The WTT Youth Star Contenders Prize Money
| Event | Winner | Runners Up | Semi-finalists (2) |
| U15 Singles | $1,000 | $ 500 | $ 250 |
| U19 Singles | $2,000 | $1,000 | $ 500 |
| U15 Doubles | $ 200 | $ 100 | $ 50 |
| U19 Doubles | $ 300 | $ 150 | $ 75 |
| U15 Mixed Doubles | $ 200 | $ 100 | $ 50 |
| U19 Mixed Doubles | $ 300 | $ 150 | $ 75 |
Change in Rules:
With a new system in place, a new set of rules will be applicable. The sport is all set to go more vibrant and multi-hued with paddlers now free to endorse a variety of colours on their paddle rubbers. Previously, paddle rubbers were mandatorily black or red. Another profound change related to the game – earlier, the best-of-seven was the norm in league matches, which would be replaced by best-of-five. However, the best-of-seven will still apply to semis and finals.
We will keep updating the site and help you know which players have the best chance of winning the best of seven.
