ITF is Now World Tennis

Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, June 25, 2026
Photo credits: World Tennis

Tennis’ top governing body has rebranded.

The International Tennis Federation has ended a 113-year tradition and officially changed its name to World Tennis.2

World Tennis officials said the name change came after an “overwhelming majority vote from its member national tennis associations.”

“Today is a defining moment in our 113-year history as the global governing body of tennis. Yesterday, we were the International Tennis Federation. From today, we are World Tennis,” World Tennis CEO David Haggerty and President Ross Hutchins said. 

“Our new name represents who we are as an organization. But it’s about more. It marks a commitment for where we intend to take this game – with your help.

“Every tennis journey begins somewhere in a local community. From there it can go global – as a player, as a fan, as a career. Ideally, anywhere you want it to.

“Our ambition is to ensure that more of you can access, enjoy and benefit from the proven health and social benefits that tennis, wheelchair tennis and beach tennis provide – for life.”

The global governing body of tennis issued this video today touting the name change and its mission.

So why change from ITF to World Tennis?

Leadership say the rebranding aims to simplify and accurately reflect its role “as the sport’s global governing body and guardian, as well as the essential role it plays alongside its member nations to grow and develop tennis worldwide.”

“The change will provide a clearer identity that is more relevant to players, fans, partners and tennis stakeholders around the world, and brings the brand in line with a majority of sport’s most prominent global governing bodies,” World Tennis said. “The name change forms part of a gradual evolution of the organisation’s brand which has progressed in recent years with the growth of sub-brands such as the World Tennis Tour and World Tennis Number.”

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Though its a traditional tennis organization, World Tennis has embraced some progressive changes in recent years. It changed the title of Fed Cup to Billie Jean King Cup. Partnering with Kosmos, it installed a radical reconstruction of Davis Cup in an effort to create a World Cup of tennis.

Those changes prompted pushback from several captains, players and officials prompting the organization to eventually return to traditional home-and-away Davis Cup ties leading up to its Davis Cup Final 8 format, set for November 24-29th, 2026 in Bologna, Italy.

“After more than 110 years of proud history as the ITF, I’m truly excited for our future as World Tennis as we continue to grow our contribution to the development of the game in all corners of the globe,” said ITF President David Haggerty. 

“World Tennis better reflects who we are today; the global governing body and guardian of tennis, working hard with our members to deliver tennis for life.  

“This evolution follows extensive consultation across the global tennis community and reflects our shared ambition to strengthen, unify and grow the game worldwide.” 

Founded as the International Lawn Tennis Federation in Paris in 1913, the organization became the International Tennis Federation in 1977.