ITF Rebranding in 2026
By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, October 16, 2025
Photo credit: International Tennis Federation
One of tennis’ most historic governing bodies is rebranding.
The International Tennis Federation announced today it will end a 110-year tradition and change its name to World Tennis in 2026.
The ITF said the change came after an “overwhelming majority vote from its member national tennis associations.”
So why change from ITF to World Tennis?
The ITF says its rebranding 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,” the ITF 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.”
Though its a traditional tennis organization, the ITF has embraced some progressive changes in recent years. It changed the title of Fed Cup to Billie Jean King Cup. Partnering with Kosmos, the ITF 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 ITF to eventually return to traditional home-and-away Davis Cup ties leading up to its Davis Cup Final 8 format, set for Bologna, November 18-23rd.
“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. We look forward to revealing our new identity and wider plans in the coming months.”
Founded as the International Lawn Tennis Federation in Paris in 1913, the organization became the International Tennis Federation in 1977.
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