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- The global governing body is committed to achieving long-term sustainable growth by expanding participation, nurturing future stars, elevating national-level events, driving innovation, and attracting more investment
- World Tennis announces global participation growth target—from the current 106 million players to 140 million by 2035, an increase of over 30%
LONDONJune 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The International Tennis Federation (ITF), which has governed tennis worldwide since 1913, today officially rebranded as World Tennis and unveiled its vision to drive the long-term sustainable growth of the sport globally.
World Tennis brand animation – Credit – World Tennis
This rebranding to World Tennis marks a new era for the organization: dedicated to opening a “world of opportunity” for people of all abilities, ages, and backgrounds, both on and off the court—the foundation for the future success of one of the world’s most popular sports.
In an open letter co-signed by World Tennis President David Haggerty and CEO Ross Hutchins, World Tennis commits to reinvesting at least 85% of its annual revenue back into the sport over the next decade, thereby empowering its 214 member national/regional tennis associations, while driving collaborative development across the entire tennis ecosystem.
World Tennis has established five strategic priorities to achieve its vision for tennis:
- Expand Participation
Connect and integrate one of the world’s largest networks of national/regional sports associations to increase recreational tennis participation, enabling people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the health and social benefits of tennis. - Nurture Future Stars
Further refine World Tennis’s global player development pathway—the primary talent pipeline to professional tennis—while exploring new markets to provide more competitive opportunities worldwide. - Elevate National Team Events
Enhance the profile of events such as the Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, and World Team Cup—the highest stages for national team representation in tennis and pathways to the Olympics and Paralympics. - Ensure Tennis Stays Relevant
Lead the sport’s evolution for future audiences by driving innovation, enabling digital connectivity across countries/regions, upholding integrity and trust, continuously improving governance, and enhancing athlete well-being. - Increase Investment to Drive Tennis Growth
Develop new, more sustainable revenue streams, establish value-driven long-term partnerships, and reinvest resources back into the sport through the global network of national/regional tennis associations.
World Tennis also announced today new targets for global tennis participation, aiming for significant growth—planning to increase the global tennis population from the current 106 million to 140 million by 2035, an increase of over 30%.
World Tennis President David Haggerty said: “Today is the perfect time to redefine our role in world tennis, and we commit to building a strong, sustainable future for this wonderful sport. The name World Tennis reflects who we are, our global reach, and our unique mission.”
“Our strategic goal is to work hand-in-hand with 214 national/regional tennis associations and stakeholders across the tennis ecosystem to grow the sport in every corner of the world. This includes: boosting participation, further refining the pathway for future stars to reach the top, and providing more opportunities for everyone to engage with tennis—regardless of age, gender, or background.”
World Tennis CEO Ross Hutchins said, “Tennis opens a world of opportunity for people both on and off the court—no matter who you are or where you’re from. This is at the heart of World Tennis’s mission: our responsibility extends equally to the world’s top-ranked player and to the child who has yet to pick up a racket.”
“We embark on this exciting new era with a crystal-clear vision: to let this great sport thrive, help communities grow stronger, and enable more people to live healthier, happier, and longer lives through tennis. We will take bold action to drive global growth, create more opportunities for everyone, and bring greater investment to all levels of the sport. We also look forward to working with all tennis lovers worldwide to achieve this bright future together.”
Listening to the Global Tennis Community
Today, World Tennis launches its first Global Tennis Fan Survey, extending an open invitation to fans and tennis communities worldwide to share their perspectives, ensuring that the voices of fans are fully heard as the sport evolves.
Each survey respondent will be automatically entered into a draw for a chance to win a fully funded trip for two to the 2026 Davis Cup Finals in Bologna, Italy.
Credit – World Tennis