ITF

HEATHER BOWLER TO JOIN ITF The International Tennis Federation has appointed Heather Bowler as Executive Director, Communications and Digital Services. "Communications is at the heart of ITF2024 as we seek to develop, grow and promote tennis at all levels of the sport and in all 210 member nations. We have a compelling story to tell and I am delighted to welcome Heather to the ITF team to help us tell it with energy and vision," said ITF President David Haggerty. Bowler joins the ITF from the WTA where she held the role of SVP Marketing & Communications. Prior to the WTA, she was Global Communications Director for live sports broadcaster Eurosport from 2007-2014 and previously held senior international communications roles at Interpublic Group of Companies- owned global agencies. Bowler will work closely with National and Regional Associations to promote tennis at every level, from grassroots to elite professional competition. She will be responsible for leading strategic communications to promote the key initiatives, innovations and positive change resulting from the ITF's strategic roadmap and long- term project for sustainable growth, ITF2024. Germany's Michael Stich and Helena Sukova of Czech Republic were officially inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame during a picture-perfect ceremony in Rhode Island, Newport in July. Stich, a Wimbledon champion and former world No. 2, and Sukova, who won 14 Grand Slam titles in doubles and mixed doubles, joined an elite group of just over 250 individuals hailing from 23 nations to have received the accolade. Election to the Hall of Fame, which Stich and Sukova achieved in the Player Category, is recognition of a career that is among the most accomplished and impactful in the history of the game. The pair were accompanied by legendary Hall of Famers, ranging from recent world No. 1s to 1950s champions, as well as thousands of fans on Bill Talbert Stadium Court to celebrate the presentation of one of tennis's ultimate honours. At the Enshrinement Ceremony, Stich, who won gold in the men's doubles alongside Boris Becker at the 1992 Olympic Games, recounted the moment he saw the inspirational words from the Rudyard Kipling poem 'If' as he stepped onto Wimbledon's Centre Court. "That gave me an understanding of Wimbledon, of any court in the world, that you can be respectful and a true tennis player no matter if you win or lose, and show that respect to your opponent," said Stich. "That really influenced my career from then on. I always tried to be respectful to everyone around. I was not always the best behaved guy on a tennis court. I could argue with the chair umpire but I always walked up after the match and said: 'I'm sorry'. "But it has to happen to show emotions. I think that's what made our generation so special, we were able to show emotion." After describing her accession to the Hall of Fame as a "fairytale", Sukova said: "I am very proud to be part of the gallery of legends who have contributed to the success of our sport in both my country and around the world. "Winning in tennis always brought a special kind of excitement inside me. The final victory is a victory that cannot be described in words. Every experience is a combination of emotions and relaxation. Being a dynamic sport, tennis brings drastic moments." Stellar careers celebrated as Stich and Sukova inducted into Hall of Fame The award was presented by International Tennis Hall of Fame CEO Todd Martin, ITF President David Haggerty, and Golden Achievement Award Committee Chairman Jane Brown Grimes. The Golden Achievement Award is presented annually to an individual who has made significant contributions internationally to tennis in the fields of administration, promotion, or education, and who has devoted long and outstanding service to the sport. Smith is a past president and chairman of the board for Great Britain's Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). Within the LTA he served on many committees including LTA Events, National Development, National Tennis Centre Project, Indoor Tennis Initiative and Veterans' Tennis, among others. He remains highly involved today as a member of the LTA Council. He is also a former board member of the International Tennis Federation (2009-15). In addition to serving on the board, he chaired several committees including Wheelchair Tennis and the Technical Commission, and was a member of the Olympic Committee, serving as tennis technical delegate at the London 2012 event. In a special ceremony at The Queen's Club on Wimbledon's middle Sunday, the ITF and International Tennis Hall of Fame partnered to pay tribute to long-time tennis industry leader Stuart Smith, who has served the sport in an administrative role both in Britain and within the global tennis community. Former ITF board member Smith presented with Golden Achievement Award ITFWorld // SUMMER 2018 41

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