ITF

ITFWORLD SPRING 2016 3 www.itftennis.com David Haggerty ITF President In my first seven months in office as ITF President, I and the Board of Directors have focused on developing the Strategic Priorities called ITF 2024, which I referenced in my last ITFWorld message. Working with our 211 member nations, the ITF has an ambitious plan to promote, develop and grow tennis worldwide, which we will achieve through the following eight strategic priorities. 1. Integrity The ITF will lead the sport by upholding the highest levels of integrity, governance and transparency. The reputation of our sport depends on strong, fair, open and regulated leadership and the protection of clean athletes, officials and administrators. 2. Investment Strengthening the revenue streams of the ITF and its member nations will generate the investment needed to develop and grow tennis opportunities at all levels and in all aspects of the game. 3. Development Creating the next generation of tennis players and fans depends on world-class development programmes being in place around the world. The ITF will increase its investment and expertise into its development programmes to ensure an effective and substantial impact on the growth of tennis where it is most needed. 4. Davis Cup and Fed Cup improvements By realising the full potential of our flagship competitions, through format improvements, fan campaigns and player outreach programmes, we will grow their popularity, create more revenue for investment in tennis and inspire more people to play, follow and watch our sport. 5. Opportunity Tennis is a sport that can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of age, gender, status or ability. The ITF will continue to provide opportunities to play at all levels of the game through fit-for-purpose professional and non professional circuits including disabled sport, junior programmes and grassroots initiatives. 6. Partnerships To be successful, the ITF must have strong and mutually beneficial partnerships. We will increase cooperation and collaboration with all partners including the ATP, WTA, Grand Slams, IOC, players and allied tennis partners to maximise growth opportunities for tennis. 7. Elevate our sport within the Olympics Tennis is an important Olympic sport. Our goal is to improve further our position and importance in the Games by 2024. 8. Communications The ITF is an association of tennis nations. We are stronger together and the basis of that strength is effective communication. We must engage with, listen to and understand our national and regional associations and work with, and for, them. I am looking forward to sharing these ITF 2024 Strategic Priorities in more detail with our member nations and other stakeholders at the 2016 ITF Conference and AGM in Zagreb in June. Supported by our hosts, the Croatian Tennis Association, we have expanded the ITF's annual assembly to include an extra day, and changed the format to one which provides more opportunities for feedback and input from our member nations. At the meeting we will be focusing particularly on the three strategic priorities that cover the ITF's Development strategy, elevating the Davis Cup and Fed Cup properties, and collaboration and communication with our member nations. It promises to be an important four days as we plan for the future of the ITF, and we will share our progress in upcoming issues of ITFWorld. Before closing, I would like to acknowledge and thank Juan Margets, ITF Chief Operating Officer, for his 18 years of service. Juan has announced he will be leaving at the end of 2016. Juan has played a very important role in the ITF for many years in both his management position and his chairmanship of key committees. His knowledge and experience have been very helpful in my transition as ITF President and his dedication, friendship and loyalty have been much appreciated. I will keep you informed of the process for appointing a successor for Juan. In the meantime, we can all look forward to some fantastic tennis as we head into the key period of the tennis season. I wish you all happy and successful tennis over the next few months. Working with our 211 member nations, the ITF has an ambitious plan to promote, develop and grow tennis worldwide.

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