Economic challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic
The ITF is working hard to continue to oversee and maintain the global infrastructure of our sport during this unprecedented time. Protecting the health and well-being of all those involved in tennis as well as the wider public remains our priority, but we also recognise that many are facing significant professional and personal challenges caused by the current suspension of play.
As a non-profit organisation, 90% of the ITF’s revenue is reinvested into programmes that drive growth and ensure the sustainability of our sport globally via our 210 member nations. This funding is invested where it is needed most at national level in the form of financial support, regulatory and professional services, event resources, education and training programmes for players, coaches and umpires.
The ITF is committed to taking a fair and equal approach to the multiple stakeholders affected by the challenges we now face, while ensuring the organisation as a whole can continue to operate effectively. We are constantly reviewing our activity and operations in order to minimise the impact of this pandemic on stakeholders, players, officials and staff, concentrating our efforts on addressing the areas that are within our authority to control.
We have postponed more than 900 tournaments across all ITF circuits, including the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Finals 2020, and it remains uncertain when play can resume. While postponing events and prioritising safety is the appropriate response in these exceptional circumstances, it has resulted in a number of complex challenges, including a significant loss of income. In order to safeguard jobs and protect the long-term health of our organisation and our sport, the ITF is implementing a series of measures, effective from today, which include savings on projects, a job protection scheme for employees and the utilisation of funds from ITF reserves.
The job protection scheme includes a furlough for approximately half of ITF staff. The remaining staff will continue to work to sustain business critical services and essential platforms with a 10% reduction in salary. The Senior Leadership Team has taken a 20% reduction in salary, while the ITF President has voluntarily taken a 30% decrease for the year.
In addition to these measures, the ITF is in discussion with other tennis stakeholders to look into the various options to support nations and players during these times and will provide more information when we have completed that process.
ITF President David Haggerty said: “The situation we are facing represents a fundamental challenge to our organisation and our sport. Our purpose is to ensure the long-term growth and sustainability of our sport in collaboration with our 210 member nations, which is why we are making difficult decisions in the short term so that we can continue to deliver tennis for future generations across the globe.”