CEO Kelly Fairweather to leave role in August 2025

The ITF has confirmed that Chief Executive Officer, Kelly Fairweather, will leave his role at the end of August 2025. 

After a 40-year career in the sport industry, which began in coaching before moving to management and has included senior roles at the highest level of sport and governance in the Olympic movement, Fairweather will step away to take time to spend with family and pursue personal interests.  

A former Sports Director of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and CEO of International Hockey Federation, Fairweather joined the ITF as Chief Operating Officer in January 2017 and was promoted to CEO in January 2022. 

During Fairweather’s tenure, the total number of tennis players around the world has increased to 106 million and the ITF has consistently reinvested 90% of its annual revenue into global tennis development via its member national associations. 

The recruitment process for a new CEO is underway and Fairweather will assist ITF President David Haggerty and the ITF Board to ensure a smooth transition for his successor. 

David Haggerty, ITF President, said: “I would like to express the ITF’s gratitude to Kelly for his contribution to tennis. Working alongside me in my role, and in partnership with our member national associations, he has been steadfast in his leadership in spearheading the growth of the organisation.  

“Kelly has helped us all steer a steady ship during his time at the ITF, which has been marked by major world events, and we are proud of the growth our sport has enjoyed at grassroots and regional levels during those eight years. After a long and successful career in the sport industry, Kelly has made the understandable decision to focus on his family, and I want to thank him for his support and commitment throughout his time with us.” 

Kelly Fairweather, ITF CEO, said: “It’s been an honour to serve as CEO of the ITF and be part of the journey shaping and developing the global game these past eight years. After four incredibly enriching and inspiring decades in international sport, in which I have met so many amazing people from all cultures and sports and been part of so many extraordinary events, I am looking forward to spending more time with my family and pursuing some personal projects.   

“I would like to thank Dave and the ITF Board for the support and guidance they have provided over the years. I will always be a passionate advocate for the power of sport and the vital work that the ITF does to develop tennis in all four corners of the globe. I am looking forward to helping Dave and the Board in the process to find my successor.”