Tennis set fair for the future with new ITF Constitution

If we expect players to live by the rules, then so should we.

This belief is at the heart of the ITF’s four-year journey to modernise the ITF Constitution, a journey that ended last week when the ITF AGM approved a new Constitution for 2025 and beyond.

The new-look Constitution is part of the ITF’s governance review, which has already led to the ITF’s member nations approving changes to the ITF Board of Directors from 2027 to ensure a minimum of five women and five men are elected.

The review concluded that the existing Constitution was outdated and didn’t meet the current expectations of good governance and best practice for a global sports federation. Work began to address this, and that work included detailed consultations with the ITF’s member national associations and affiliated regional associations, with the ITF providing clarifications and absorbing feedback where necessary.

Good governance isn’t just vital for the integrity of tennis, but it’s also important because a well-governed sport will be better at delivering on the ITF’s mission to grow the game around the world.

The ITF Constitution hadn’t been fully reviewed in its current form since its introduction in 1997. Changes were made to align the ITF with the IOC’s (International Olympic Committee) principles of good governance. Inconsistencies and gaps were resolved, and the content was brought up to date with current best practice.

Key changes for nations are that the new Constitution includes wording which respects their autonomy to govern tennis in their own countries. It requires national and regional associations to carry out fair and transparent elections and appointments.

Importantly, when a nation makes a disciplinary decision, the ITF will have the right to recognise that decision and ensure all other nations implement the decision. For safeguarding offences, this avoids the risk that a perpetrator moves to a new country and continues to commit crimes. Under the new Constitution, nations also need to have their own safeguarding protocols in place.

For regions, the collaborative and bespoke approach between the ITF and its six affiliated regional associations is enshrined in the new framework.  

Formalised vetting procedures for all ITF Board members have also been introduced, and a maximum term limit of 20 years on the Board if a person sits as both President and Board member.

In producing a new Constitution fit for the future, a core principle remains – ultimately, the decision-making power of the ITF stays with its 213 member nations, who work collaboratively with the ITF to ensure the sport of tennis is enjoyed and played by generations to come.

The projected was spearheaded by ITF Board member Jack Graham, as Chair of the ITF Constitutional Committee.

He said, “The ITF Constitutional reform is the conclusion of a major four-year project to modernise, clarify and strengthen the governance of the ITF, its members and regional associations, in accordance with the principles of good sporting governance. We know that there is a strong correlation between good governance and the effectiveness of sporting organisations. The modernised Constitution, which received overwhelming support from member nations, is underpinned by the ITF’s core values of accountability, integrity, transparency, and procedural fairness.”