ITF

Welcome to ITFWorld. This year's summer edition of the magazine has been published a little later than usual due to August's AGM in Orlando. There were some major and exciting decisions taken in Florida and we are confident that the resolutions which have been passed will make a significant and positive difference to tennis in all of our member nations. Away from the AGM, it has been another jam-packed few months for the ITF, which this issue of the magazine goes to show, as we continue to deliver on our ITF2024 strategy and look to ensure that our sport has a bright and prosperous future. More will be said about this, and principally July's ITF Worldwide Participation Conference, later in this piece as, for the moment, we should focus on the AGM. DAVIS CUP REFORMS TO ELEVATE THE COMPETITION The headline announcement from the AGM was the game-changing vote in favour of the ITF and investment group Kosmos's transformational reforms of the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas. I would draw your attention to the designated section of ITFWorld on the AGM, which follows my message and outlines the changes to the competition in detail. Essentially, though, from 2019, the tournament will see 18 nations and the world's best players compete in a week-long season finale to be crowned Davis Cup champions. The inaugural tournament, which will take place from 18-24 November 2019 in a world-class European location, is not completely revolutionary, however, as a key and much-loved element of the current Davis Cup will remain in place. A qualifying round in February will see 24 teams take part in home and away matches, with the 12 winners securing a direct place in the Finals. It was pleasing to see the nations voting overwhelmingly in favour of the plans as these reforms will secure the long- term status of the Davis Cup. With this motion now passed, we will be able to work with Kosmos to realise the huge potential of the competition, elevate it to new heights and oversee improved standards. The new event will create a true festival of tennis, which will be more attractive to players, fans, sponsors and broadcasters. The ITF has signed a 25-year agreement with Kosmos and that represents a total investment of US $3 billion into the sport, creating substantial levels of funding for the global development of tennis through the ITF and its 210-member National Associations. There will be a significant increase in the nations' income from the tournament and a player prize fund of $20 million, which will raise the Davis Cup to Grand Slam prize money levels. The new revenues really will have a transformative effect on the development of tennis in all nations. Our mission at the ITF is to ensure that this ground- breaking decision will benefit the next generation of players for decades to come and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the nations for their support. There is no doubt that by working together, the nations, the ITF, its Board of Directors and Kosmos can provide a strong future for tennis all around the globe. There has also been some important news for the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas, with the ITF delighted to announce record prize money increases for the competition in 2019. Next season, the 16 teams contesting World Group and World Group II will compete for $7.5 million, up from $3.7 million in 2018. Other changes for 2019, which are designed to support player welfare, are five- player teams and third-set tiebreaks. OTHER KEY DECISIONS IN ORLANDO THE AGM also voted to entrust the Board of Directors with the power to amend Davis Cup and Fed Cup regulations, as well as overseeing an increase to the number of elected directors from 13 to 14. The nations putting their faith in the ITF Board of Directors to make decisions in the best interests of the organisation as a whole is another significant step forward. In a fast- changing world, we need to be agile in order to make decisions about our flagship competitions. Another fundamental strand of the AGM was the launch of a new campaign called Advantage All, which is based around five key goals and designed to improve Gender Equality in every area of the game. It also aims to safeguard tennis as a leading light for sport both on and off the court. Advantage All is further evidence of the ITF's commitment to Gender Equality – an important plank of the ITF2024 strategy – and follows on from other key initiatives in this area such as the establishment of the ITF Women in Sport Committee and the Empowering Female Leaders programme. Tennis has a real opportunity to become the inspirational role model for all Olympic sports with regard to equal opportunity. An historic vote regarding the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas at August's AGM will establish a brighter future for tennis worldwide, says ITF President David Haggerty A new dawn T H E P R E S I D E N T ' S V I E W It was pleasing to see the nations voting overwhelmingly in favour of the plans as these reforms will secure the long- term status of the Davis Cup 04 ITFWorld // SUMMER 2018

• Cover