Tough new restrictions on Wimbledon wildcards have been announced by the Lawn Tennis Association.
 Arvind Parmar has already had three wild-cards in his career |
Any British man who has received three in his career will not get another unless he hauls his ranking inside the world's top 150. That affects players such as Arvind Parmar and Jamie Delgado, who will be forced to climb the rankings or win a play-off competition if they are to play on the famous grass courts again.
The wildcard system has been criticised in the past for gifting players big prizes, even if they lose.
Those defeated in the first round of the men's singles last summer received the best part of �7,000.
"We're raising the bar once more," says Lawn Tennis Association performance director David Felgate.
"I do think, at that time of year, players have sat back and thought of their Wimbledon wildcard. They won't be able to do that anymore."
Automatic wildcards will still go to British players but only if their ranking is inside the top 300 for men or 250 for women.
Special allowance will be made for players just out of the junior ranks.
The only other way into the All England championships will be through a play-off system which will double as pre-qualifying.
The play-offs, in hindsight introduced too swiftly last year, will be significantly altered for 2004.
The winner will be guaranteed a place in the Wimbledon main draw, there will be nominal prize money and, importantly, umpires and linesman will officiate.
After a sometimes chaotic and often confusing process six months ago, Felgate has made the new system clear in a letter, seen by the BBC, sent to every player's home.
"The players know where they stand today," he says.
"They've had the letter and it's crystal clear. If you don't get inside that ranking you don't get nominated. If you're outside of it, go and play the play-offs."
MMIX
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If you don't get inside that ranking you don't get nominated 
