ITF

We expect to stage a record 1,060 junior tournaments by year- end, having broken the 1,000 mark for the first time in 2025. Central to the World Tennis ethos is that geography should not be a barrier, and promising players from all nations should have access to the junior pathway. More value, better access At the start of 2026 we introduced the 'round robin to elimination' format as an option for our entry-level J30 and J60 junior events. Successfully implementing this format is a priority, and we anticipate that more than 60% of events will have adopted it by the end of the year. With this format, instead of losing a first round match, players compete in groups of four and play three matches in round robin, with the group winner progressing to the quarterfinals. This provides more competitive opportunities for more players in one location, boosting on-court experience, reducing travel costs, recovery time, and time taken away from home, education and training. The format also doubles the number of singles matches played in the opening rounds of these events. To improve access to competition, the use of the World Tennis Number (WTN) in entry-level events has been extended in 2026. We launched live streaming for selected junior events in 2025 and in 2026 we have increased coverage of the top tier of the Tour, with streaming from two courts at J500 events guaranteed from the quarterfinals onwards, and action available to view on the World Tennis Tour Juniors OTT platform. Audience numbers have been impressive, demonstrating the appetite among fans to see potential future stars in action. Flying their flag World Tennis's international junior team competitions give players the invaluable experience of representing their country in a team at the 14-and-under and 16-and-under level. Many boys and girls have graduated from these to go on to compete in Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup. In 2026, 111 nations entered World Junior Tennis (14&U) with competition held in six continents. The Finals, featuring the best 16 boys' and girls' teams, was held Prostejov, Czechia in August with Switzerland's boys and Italy's girls lifting the trophies. In Davis Cup Juniors and Billie Jean King Cup Juniors by Gainbridge (16&U), 104 nations entered and the Finals will take place in in Cairo, Egypt in November, marking the first time the event has been held in Africa. Direct acceptances to junior tournaments are mainly determined by junior rankings with the WTN used as a secondary criterion. Now, however, a proportion of direct acceptances into qualifying and main draw singles at J30 and J60 events are granted to boys and girls based on their WTN alone. This ensures that players progressing in national and regional tours with a strong WTN relative to their ranking, can still gain entry to Tour events and advance on the World Tennis player pathway. In tandem, we are focusing on entry points to the World Tennis Tour Juniors for the younger age groups, and looking at ways to help strengthen the competition structure in the 12&U and 14&U age categories, in full support of existing National and Regional Association activities. Higher standards World Tennis is working with tournament organisers to improve standards at J300 and J500 events, to promote and strengthen player commitment at this higher level, and ensure players have an experience consistent with the professional World Tennis Tour events where many of them also compete. Areas covered include player facilities, minimum officiating standards, greater live scoring and live streaming. 23 l We Are World Tennis 2026 Tours & Player Pathway

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