For the first time ever, fans are going to get to have some say with who gets inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Starting with the Class of 2019, fan voting will account for a percentage of the ballot totals.
The candidates include Jonas Bjorkman, Sergi Bruguera, Goran Ivanisevic, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Conchita Martinez, Thomas Muster, Mary Pierce and Li Na.
To be elected, a candidate needs an affirmative vote of 75 percent. In the past, the candidates were chosen solely by Voting Group of Hall of Famers, journalists and historians. Now, the top three vote from the Fan Vote will get bonus percentage points added onto their score. The candidate with the most fan love receives three additional percentage points, while second and third place will receive two and one additional percentage points respectively. Basically, all you need to know is your vote matters and you can help etch a name into the Hall of Fame history books.
Andy Roddick, who became a Hall of Famer in 2017, loves the fan inclusion.
"I think it’s a home run," he told Baseline. "There’s a real opportunity for fans to actually get someone over the hump and get someone in. It’s something that should happen. Our memories are only as great as we remember it because of fan participation."
Roddick was a huge fan favorite during his career, which saw him remain a fixture of the Top 10 for nine consecutive years and win the 2003 US Open.
"I think it’s a progressive idea. I applaud the Hall of Fame for taking this step," he said. "It is a great opportunity for the players and the nominees to ask for help also. It really puts a bow on that relationship that has kind of existed for a while between player and fan."
Fans will be able to cast their votes online starting on Monday through October 7.
Here's a quick breakdown of the candidates:
Career-best ranking: No. 1 doubles, No. 4 singles
Titles: 54 doubles titles including nine majors, six singles titles
Career-best ranking: No. 3 singles, No. 49 doubles
Titles: 14 singles titles including 2 Grand Slams, 3 doubles titles
Career-best ranking: No. 2 singles, No. 20 doubles
Titles: 22 singles titles including 1 Grand Slam, 9 doubles titles
Career-best ranking: No. 1 singles, No. 4 doubles
Titles: 26 singles titles including 2 Grand Slams, 27 doubles titles including 4 Grand Slams
Career-best ranking: No. 2 singles, No. 7 doubles
Titles: 33 singles titles including 1 Grand Slam, 13 doubles titles
Career-best ranking: No. 1 singles
Titles: 44 singles titles including 1 Grand Slam
Career-best ranking: No. 2
Titles: 9 singles titles including 2 Grand slams
Career-best ranking: No. 2 singles, No. 2 doubles
Titles: 18 singles titles including 2 Grand Slams, 10 doubles titles including 2 Grand Slams
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