Issue link: http://itf.uberflip.com/i/1478901
4 Summer 2022 ITF World Welcome to the summer 2022 issue of ITFWorld. I'm writing to you from New York where I'm attending the US Open and several other meetings including the ITF Board meeting. It's been great to connect with key stakeholders for the benefit of tennis, and I'm appreciating the opportunity to do so in person rather than virtually. I've also been able to witness and experience first-hand the final tournament and celebration of Serena Williams' career. After she announced her decision to retire, the world eagerly awaited her final tennis as a professional and she didn't disappoint, bowing out in characteristic fighting style to Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round. Her farewell has provided an opportunity to celebrate her long and storied career, one that has gone beyond tennis into the wider sporting and entertainment world. Serena is one of the most prolific sports figures, period, and has broken new ground for women in sport, with both her on-court achievements and related endorsements. You can read within these pages a tribute to Serena written by Katrina Adams. Katrina, who is an ITF Board Vice-President, experienced both Serena and Venus's rise to fame from the very beginning, and lost to Serena in the last match of her own professional career. Wheelchair tennis thriving I've enjoyed seeing the expansion of wheelchair tennis at the US Open. This year at Flushing Meadows, the draw sizes for the men's and women's singles events were increased from eight to 16, and a junior wheelchair tournament was introduced. The field of 56 players taking part was the largest in Grand Slam history, as was the prize purse of $1 million. This is excellent news for the growth and visibility of this thriving part of our sport. Mirroring what has happened in the rest of tennis over the last three decades, there has been a steady increase in the number of countries represented at the elite level. At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, more than 100 players from 31 countries took part, double the numbers from 1992. We are indebted to the Cruyff Foundation for the part they have played in the growth of wheelchair tennis through their support of ITF wheelchair development camps and junior competitions. Our partnership with this inspirational organisation celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, and in this magazine South Africa's Kgothatso Montjane talks about the huge impact the Cruyff Foundation has had on her life. Elsewhere, I always look forward to seeing the junior players that are competing at the Grand Slams and watching the up-and-coming talent here has been no exception. Many have already made their mark at other ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors tournaments this season, while others are just breaking through. Gender equality work continues From New York, I'll be travelling to PRESIDENT'S VIEW ALL TO PLAY FOR ITF President David Haggerty uses his welcome address to reflect on the year so far, both on and off court, and look ahead to a blockbusting end to the season. PRESIDENT'S VIEW