Issue link: http://itf.uberflip.com/i/315708
6 ITFWORLD SPRING 2014 This kickstarted thousands of Tennis Play Events held by the USTA nationwide throughout March. Fellow Grand Slam nation Australia also took part, with Tennis Australia encouraging all its affiliated clubs and centres to organise open days and activities. On 3 March, Melbourne Park was opened to the public with participants invited to play free of charge on its famous courts. The British LTA's activities included a social media campaign throughout World Tennis Day, and an educational festival of tennis at London's National Tennis Centre. In the afternoon there was a parliament reception attended by ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti and HRH Duchess of Gloucester. At the All England Club, the day was celebrated with children from the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative. The efforts of so many of the ITF's National Associations showed the growing importance of the day. As well as providing opportunities for children and adults to play tennis in line with the ITF's Tennis10s and Tennis Xpress programmes, many nations came up with inventive ways to promote the sport and encourage people to pick up a racket. In Iran, Tennis10s demonstrations took place in ten major cities across the country, including a demonstration at Tehran's Milad Tower, the sixth highest tower in the world. Tennis was even played under water, as two scuba divers posed with a racket, net and ball for the occasion. In New Zealand, tennis demonstrations were held at several iconic Auckland spots including the city's Sky Tower and Harbour Bridge. The Americas Cup sailing team also played tennis over a mini-net on their yacht. WORLD TENNIS DAY World Tennis Day in Beijing, China Pete Sampras in action in London Snow Beach Tennis in Wengen, Switzerland Colombia's family day included a special cake A tennis festival in Doha, Qatar Playing on a makeshift court in Rwanda