Global tennis is entering a new era. The International Tennis Federation (ITF), which has governed the sport worldwide since 1913, has announced a major transformation and officially changed its name to World Tennis.
The announcement was made in an open letter from World Tennis President David Haggerty and Chief Executive Officer Ross Hutchins, as well as in an official statement distributed to national federations around the world.
According to the organisation’s leadership, this is far more than a rebranding exercise. The new name is intended to better reflect its role as the global governing body that connects every part of the tennis ecosystem, from grassroots participation and junior development programmes to Grand Slam tournaments, the Davis Cup, the Billie Jean King Cup, and the Olympic Games.
“Yesterday, we were the International Tennis Federation. Today, we are World Tennis,” the letter states.
An Ambitious Goal: 140 Million Players
One of the central pillars of the new strategy is a target to increase the number of people playing tennis worldwide from 106 million to 140 million by 2035, representing growth of more than 30 percent over the next decade.
World Tennis believes that tennis offers significant health and social benefits for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, and aims to make the sport even more accessible across the globe.
85% of Revenue to Be Reinvested in Tennis
The organisation has also announced a major financial commitment. Over the next ten years, World Tennis plans to reinvest at least 85 percent of its annual income back into the sport.
A significant portion of this investment will support the organisation’s 214 national associations, helping them expand participation programmes, improve infrastructure, and create new opportunities for players and communities.
Five Strategic Priorities
World Tennis has identified five key priorities for the future:
– Increasing participation in tennis worldwide;
– Strengthening the pathway from junior and grassroots tennis to the professional game;
– Enhancing international team competitions, including the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup;
– Driving innovation and preparing the sport for future challenges;
– Attracting new investment and building long-term partnerships to support growth.
National Federations at the Heart of the Strategy
The new vision places national associations at the centre of tennis development. With 214 member federations and six regional associations, World Tennis oversees one of the largest networks in global sport.
For the Moldova Tennis Federation, these changes may create additional opportunities to participate in international development programmes, educational initiatives, funding projects, and competitions organised under the World Tennis umbrella.
A New Name, the Same Mission
While the organisation’s name has changed, its core mission remains the same: to grow tennis around the world and create opportunities for players, coaches, officials, organisers, and millions of fans.
“The world of tennis is ours to build – together,” concludes the open letter, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the history of one of the world’s most popular sports.
