There may be many titles used by players during the game, and each player is permitted to give drinks indiscriminately to any lower-ranked player.

"Maybe Wimbledon was more disappointing because that was the first time I lost to a lower-ranked player," Hingis said.

If a lower-ranked player is hot early, an upset is more likely.

The next two levels will include tournaments for lower-ranked players.

Part of the coup's agenda was to seek increased playing opportunities for lower-ranked players, as well as increased prize money for early-round losers.

This move was in response to the growing angst among lower-ranked players concerning the inadequacy of their pay.

DeLone became a semifinalist by winning the Challengers tournament for lower-ranked players earlier in the week.

The tournament starts in a qualifying round, where the lower-ranked players compete for selection into the main draw (128-player knockout tournament).

Little by little, though, they are finding some common ground - notably on the need for better prize money for the lower-ranked players at Grand Slams.

There would also be in excess of 40 lesser tournaments for lower-ranked players.