About the international tennis federation

Although it is not known exactly where tennis first started, it is mentioned that thousands of years ago there was a game similar to tennis in ancient Egypt, Greece and Persia. However, in the twelfth century, wealthy English and French noblemen began to practice a sport called Court or Royal Tennis on indoor courts with four concrete walls and a net on top. In early times, tennis was played with bare hands, then it was played using gloves, and finally, tools resembling today’s rackets were used.

In 1873, Major Walter Clopton Wingfield, a British officer, invented the first lawn tennis. After obtaining the patent for the game, he started selling tennis nets and balls to England and other countries. After this date, tennis began to spread rapidly and become popular, and in 1875, the first tennis rules were established and published in England by the Marylebone Cricket Club. Again, tennis balls and rackets were taken to Bermuda Island by a British officer, Mary Ewing Outer Bridge saw this game here for the first time and bought tennis balls, nets and rackets and brought them to her home on Staten Island, New York. Thus, the sport of tennis has started to be recognized and spread in America.

In 1881, the American Lawn Tennis Federation was founded. Also in the same year, the first American Men’s Championship was held in Newport, Rhode Island. Again, the first American women’s championship was held in Philadelphia in 1887.

In 1913, the International Lawn Tennis Federation (ILTF) was officially established, and in 1923, the rules of tennis were established by the ILTF, and the federation achieved official status. In 1977, the phrase “Grass” was removed and the name became the International Tennis Federation (ITF).  Since then, tennis has gradually spread all over the world and has become a popular sport.

Duties and responsibilities of the International Tennis Federation (ITF);

• The International Tennis Federation determines and publishes the ITF’s international tennis court measurements, playing rules.
• Works for the dissemination of tennis in the world.
• Gives international coach and referee seminars around the world and trains international referees and coaches.
• It is responsible for international antidoping in tennis.
• Works in coordination with the WTA and ATP.
• It is affiliated to its own organization; it transfers authority to national federations to organize Davis and Fed Cup, Futures, Men’s and Women’s Circuit tournaments.
• Encourages the organization of “future and circuit” tournaments in order to support tennis players to compete in the international arena. It provides financial support indirectly by enabling successful players to receive cash prizes.
• Organizes the Tennis Masters Cup tournament together with the ATP.
• Sets out and publishes the rules and requirements of the tennis branch of the Olympic Games
• Sets out and publishes the rules and requirements of the tennis branch at the Paralympic Olympics.
• It holds the management of wheelchair tennis in the world.