Issue link: http://itf.uberflip.com/i/1547080
represented on the ASOIF Science & Medical Commission. Technical The World Tennis Technical Centre, based in London, encourages innovation in tennis so that we can ensure a sport fit for the future. Alongside this we run certification programmes that set the global standards for tennis equipment, courts and on-court technology. In 2026 we continued with our ball, equipment and court certification programmes, which in 2025 contributed to nearly $1.5 million in income. This revenue is reinvested into growing the game. World Tennis has to date approved 336 tennis ball brands for use according to the Rules of Tennis, 359 court surface products classified for court pace, and 138 two-star and one-star courts recognised for quality of construction. We have also approved 40 player analysis technology (PAT) products for use in tournaments. With the growing use of player data and off-court coaching, the PAT approval programme is currently under review to ensure greater assessment of data quality and user value. The classification of electronic line-calling (ELC) systems is one of our newest areas of technology governance. So far, World Tennis has classified four Gold-level ELC systems, intended for use at elite- level tournaments such as Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup and the Grand Slam tournaments, and two Silver-level ELC systems, for use at World Tennis Tour events. We will continue to monitor classified ELC systems on an ongoing basis to maintain service standards as this technology expands across international and national competitions. World Tennis is developing an approval tier for a 'Premium-level' ball. This new ball certification programme will approve balls for elite-level tennis against a higher specification than current ball approval, for example by quantifying ball fluffiness among other measurements. We will also be publishing international tennis court base guidelines in November. This guide aims to educate a broad range of tennis stakeholders on the principles and best practices for constructing stable and durable tennis court bases on various soil and rock formations worldwide, to help raise quality and save money for National Associations and court owners. Millions of tennis balls are used worldwide each year, and World Tennis is considering ways to reduce their environmental impact. We are working on a ball 'longevity' metric, which establishes clearly how long a ball can be used for in recreational and grassroots play, so that balls are not disposed of prematurely. 53 l We Are World Tennis 2026 Integrity & Governance