Issue link: http://itf.uberflip.com/i/1524501
2023 ITF Annual Review 35 In 2023, 2,954 people aged 30-34 were registered to play, compared with 596 two years previously. In 2023 we also extended the age range downwards in our flagship interna onal Masters team compe ons, introducing a 30+ category for the World Team Championships which a racted 15 teams when the event was played in Antalya, Turkiye. At the other end of the spectrum, the ITF Masters Tour welcomed its first-ever 100-year-old player when Australia's aptly-named Henry Young took part in the 90+ World Individual Championships in Mallorca, Spain. Targe ng 100,000 players Players from tennis clubs and parks across the globe are a racted by the compe on, social interac on, and many other health and wellbeing benefits that the Masters tour provides. In response to the growing demand, we announced plans for 2023-2026 which aim to make Masters tennis the leading sport in terms of tournament par cipa on for those aged 30 and over. The ITF's strategy for further growth includes providing more playing opportuni es in Asia, increasing women's par cipa on, building up the younger age groups and re-focusing on doubles-only events. We have set an ambi ous goal of 100,000 registered Masters players by the end of 2026. In 2024 we are introducing new, shorter-length tournaments las ng three or four days, priori sing Asia to host these more flexible playing experiences. For example, South Korea joins the Masters calendar for the first me as hosts of two new shorter format events, and the World Championships will be staged in Asia for the first me when the 45+ World Team and Individual Championships takes place in Tokyo, Japan. We are also working on marke ng and communica ons plans to reach new players, and launching ini a ves to a ract and retain more people in the younger 30-45 age groups. Our goal is to exceed 75 host na ons of ITF Masters Tour events in 2024 to improve access for players who wish to take part. New records for ITF Masters Tennis in 2023 68 42,300 REGISTERED PLAYERS UP 19% ON 2022 A RECORD 552 TOURNAMENTS UP 9% ON 2022 A RECORD 36,604 PLAYERS COMPETED IN ONE OR MORE TOURNAMENT UP 19% ON 2022 A RECORD NATIONS HOSTED 88,263 MATCHES PLAYED UP 22% ON 2022 A RECORD