ITF's Cancun conference shows tennis is thriving
If proof were needed that tennis is a truly global sport, then a beachside hotel in the Mexican resort of Cancun in September could supply it.
This was the scene for the gathering of 147 nations at the ITF’s Conference and Annual General Meeting, hosted by the Mexican Tennis Federation. The meeting had the second-highest national turnout in history, demonstrating the strength of the global guardianship of the game.
The ITF is the international governing body of tennis and works in support of 213 member nations. That number alone shows how widely the sport is played, but that nearly 70% of these 213 nations travelled to Mexico to connect with each other and the ITF shows the commitment to the growth of tennis that exists around the world.
From Albania to Vietnam, representatives from national tennis associations came together for three days of meetings and to learn more about how the ITF is carrying out its mission to deliver tennis for future generations. They were joined by all six of the ITF’s affiliated regional tennis associations, who work as vital hubs.
The ITF’s member nations vary wildly, from federations running Grand Slam tournaments and employing hundreds of people, to those staffed by just one or two dedicated volunteers. But they share a love of the sport and together these federations form the lifeblood of international tennis.
National tennis associations play an important and pivotal role in promoting participation, developing tennis at the grassroots and nurturing talented players. Without them, the elite global game can’t thrive, and its international stars would remain unknown. In acknowledgment of this, the Conference theme was ‘It Starts With You’.
The ITF presented to the assembled delegates on a range of topics where the governing body and nations work in tandem to grow the game. These included digital transformation, ITF development projects – where successes from nations were shared – and an update on the ITF World Tennis Tour, ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors, Wheelchair Tennis, Masters Tennis and Beach Tennis.
Delegates also heard the latest news from the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge, an important subject given that a record number of nations took part in the ITF’s World Cup of Tennis competitions in 2023 – 135 in Billie Jean King Cup and 156 in Davis Cup.
One of the goals of the Conference and AGM is to foster collaboration and ideas sharing, and to inspire nations in their work back home. This was particularly evident in the session on the World Tennis Number, where the ITF invited representatives of the 163 nations who have adopted the WTN to share how they’re using it in their own growth strategies.
Questions from the floor were encouraged throughout and lively debate welcomed. With global representation as large and diverse as tennis enjoys, there will always be a range of opinions, but the 147 nations in Cancun were united by their shared passion for the sport.
The Conference and AGM culminated with the re-election of ITF President David Haggerty and a new Board of Directors for 2023-2027, with candidates for all positions drawn from, and voted for, by the member nations.