Issue link: http://itf.uberflip.com/i/1537476
Fuelling par cipa on The ITF strives to make tennis as accessible as possible. We want people to take up the sport and keep playing, and our digital strategy is a key ini a ve to support this. At the heart of this project, the World Tennis Number is a vital tool for keeping recrea onal players connected to the game. Its mul -year roll-out made strong progress in 2024, with the WTN now adopted in more than 70 na ons and by more than two million players. From 2025, the WTN is an addi onal method of acceptance on the ITF World Tennis Tour, ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors and for Masters events, making compe on entry possible for talented players even if they do not hold a ranking. We are excited for the future of WTN and the role it will play in our vision to build the world's largest, most engaged digital community in tennis – you can read more about our plans in this area on page 48. The ITF's Junior Tennis Ini a ve gets kids age 14-and-under playing the game and iden fies the very best talent. In 2024, 138 na ons took part in the programme and there was notable 10% growth in par cipa on, with more than 315,000 children introduced to the sport. Coaches are vital to everyone's experience of tennis. The ITF leads the world in coaching the tennis coaches – providing educa on and cer fica on globally for the dedicated men and women who teach us the game. Much of this is powered by our ITF Academy pla orm which now has more than half a million users. Record na ons in team events In 2024, more na ons than ever took part in the ITF's interna onal team compe ons, giving talent from all regions the opportunity to excel. The ITF provides players with the unique experience of represen ng their country on the world stage in Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge, in which a record 158 na ons and 134 na ons took part respec vely. We award payments to all na ons compe ng, which is then used to grow the game in those countries. And at the regional level especially, they are a vital player development opportunity. There was record par cipa on too in our junior team compe ons for 16-and-unders (Davis Cup Juniors and Billie Jean King Cup Juniors by Gainbridge) and 14-and-unders (ITF World Junior Tennis) and for the BNP Paribas World Team Cup for wheelchair players. Nurturing talent In partnership with our member na ons, the ITF's development programme nurtures tennis talent wherever it emerges. In 2024 we con nued to boost opportuni es available on the player pathway, with a staggering 75,000 people compe ng in 3,400 tournaments across our five tours. We increased prize money to new record levels on the ITF World Tennis Tour, and for junior players (18 and under) there were a record 980 tournaments. We offered record prize money and increased tournaments on the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour and ITF Beach Tennis World Tour, and the number of 30-years-plus players signing up to compete in Masters tennis reached a new high. The ITF's work in 2024 was supported by the ITF's commercial partners, about whom you can read more on page 50. I would like to thank them for their generous investment, which makes much of what we do possible. I will end by thanking our member na ons for their collabora on and reless efforts to promote the sport. Together we are the bea ng heart of tennis, dedicated to ensuring the game is enjoyed by as many people as possible in the years to come. 05