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A New Era for Tennis: World Tennis Unveils Ambitious Vision

The International Tennis Federation (ITF), which has been steering the course of tennis since 1913, has officially rebranded to World Tennis. This monumental shift, marked by a new vision for the future, aims to provide a 'world of opportunities' for individuals of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. With the sport's popularity at its peak, World Tennis is dedicated to achieving sustainable growth while instilling a sense of inclusivity in every tournament, league, and local community.

Goals for Participation Growth

World Tennis has set an ambitious target to increase global participation in tennis from 106 million players today to 140 million by 2035. This represents a growth of more than 30% and is the cornerstone of their strategic plan. By enhancing collaboration among 214 national tennis associations, World Tennis aims to create an extensive network fostering recreational play worldwide.

Priorities for a Brighter Future

The organization has established five strategic priorities to guide its transformative journey:
1. Increasing Participation: By connecting national associations, World Tennis will encourage more people to discover and experience the joy of tennis. The organization aims to promote health and social benefits through recreational play, catering to various skill levels.
2. Powering Future Stars: The development of talent pathways will see further enhancements to the existing structure, creating increased competitive opportunities and expanding into emerging markets.
3. Elevating Official Nation Competitions: World Tennis is focusing on major national events like the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup to reinforce their status as prestigious competitions while also serving as a pathway to global events like the Olympics.
4. Ensuring a Sport Fit for the Future: The initiative includes innovation in governance, digital collaboration, and a commitment to player wellbeing to ensure tennis remains appealing to future audiences.
5. Raising Investment to Grow the Game: World Tennis is committed to securing new funding sources to reinvest into the sport, enhancing the capabilities of national associations and ensuring sustainable growth.

Leadership Vision

President David Haggerty and Chief Executive Ross Hutchins express their commitment to redefining World Tennis's role within the sport globally. Haggerty emphasizes the importance of collaboration with national associations and stakeholders to achieve this growth, reiterating World Tennis's mission to engage new players and strengthen the sport's community feel. Hutchins highlights the role tennis can play in transforming lives both on and off the court, creating a platform for opportunities regardless of age or background.

Engaging the Community

As part of its launch, World Tennis has rolled out the first-ever Global Tennis Fan Survey, inviting fans and players globally to provide input on the evolution of the sport. Participants in the survey are eligible to win an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2026 Davis Cup Finals in Bologna, Italy, further fostering community engagement.

With such ambitious goals and a clear vision, World Tennis is poised to lead the sport into a new era that emphasizes accessibility, engagement, and sustainable progress. This transformation puts both recreational players and aspiring professionals at the forefront, allowing tennis to flourish globally in the coming decades.