First ITF Masters 45+ World Team and Individual Championships in Asia
Entries are now open for the ITF Masters 45+ World Team and Individual Championships, hosted at the renowned Ariake Tennis Centre in Tokyo, an iconic venue that has played host to the Japan Open on the ATP Tour, the Pan Pacific Open on the WTA Tour, and the tennis events for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Championships, set to take place from 17th-30th November 2024, will mark the first time an ITF Masters World Championships will be held in Asia.
As part of the ITF Masters Tour’s renewed strategy for 2023-2026, the World Tennis Masters Tour is emphasising the growth of tournaments and player participation, with a particular focus on Asia. According to the ITF’s Global Tennis Report (2021), Asia is home to 37% of the global tennis population.
This year is notable for being the first year the World Championships will feature a single age category - the 45+ age group. As first-time hosts, Japan will stage this single age group event, with the ITF hoping to include more age categories of the World Championships in Asia in future years.
The ITF Masters 45+ World Team and Individual Championships will be played on outdoor hard courts, providing a world-class stage for competitors. The event features both team and individual competitions, allowing a diverse array of players.
The ITF Masters World Team Championships for Men’s and Women’s 45 and over age groups will take place from Sunday 17 to Friday 22 November 2024. The men’s competition will be for the Dubler Cup (Men’s 45) and the women’s competition for the Margaret Court Cup (Women’s 45).
National Associations are encouraged to assemble their best players in these age groups to compete in this prestigious event. The team entry deadline is Monday 16 September 2024, with the player nomination deadline on Monday 7 October 2024.
The format of play will be determined by the number of entries for each team cup, with details to be released to captains in October, following the player nomination deadline – although all teams should expect to play between four and six ties during the week through a combination of round-robin groups and positional playoff matches.
The Individual events will follow from 23rd- 30th November, providing an additional platform for players to compete at the very highest level and to earn up to 1,600 ranking points in each event. Participants and spectators can look forward to an exhilarating experience throughout.
Matt Byford, ITF Head of Juniors and Masters, said, “Welcoming the ITF Masters 45+ World Team and Individual Championships 2024 to Tokyo is a significant milestone, especially for our commitment to the growth of Masters Tennis across Asia. We extend our deepest thanks to the Japanese Tennis Association for their invaluable support in developing the Tour in Japan in recent years, and for their shared vision. This event promises to provide enriching experiences for players worldwide, reinforcing our global community’s passion for the sport.”
Nao Kawatei, Vice President of the Japan Tennis Association said, “On behalf of the Japan Tennis Association (JTA) and the organizing committee, we extend a warm welcome to all players and their families. We are delighted to host the ITF Masters World Championships in Japan for the first time. This marks the debut of the Championships in Asia, and we hope to see many more events in the future. The venue, Ariake Tennis Park, which previously hosted the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, is also the site of the annual Japan Open (Men’s Professional Tour). We hope you will make great memories at our premier tennis venue in Japan. See you in Tokyo.”