The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has agreed this Wednesday a comprehensive package of measures to support all parties affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the continuous suspension of the professional circuit. The package was approved by the ITF Board last week and represents a fund of total aid of more than 2.6 million dollars (2.3 euros).
The new measures include 1.28 million in funds for National Federations, to help facilitate the return to tennis through grants for national and youth tournaments, grants for top-ranked youth players and a fund of € 308,000 for players ranked 501 to 700. There will also be support for the development of officials, as well as provisions for the return of beach tennis. The latter support follows previously announced measures, including a joint player aid program, financial support for wheelchair tennis, and free training resources for coaches.
Since the Professional tennis was suspended on March 12, the ITF has seen more than 1,100 of its events canceled or postponed. As a nonprofit, 90% of ITF revenue is reinvested in programs that drive growth and ensure the sustainability of our sport worldwide through our 210 member countries. Despite the considerable financial impact of this disruption, the ITF has remained committed to supporting multiple stakeholders at all levels of the sport, investing funds where they are most needed.
The ITF President David Haggerty said: “Despite the significant challenges that have resulted from this pandemic, the ITF has been determined in our desire to help as many parties as possible interested possible. We do not have unlimited resources, so we have focused our efforts where they are most needed. This has been a complex process, but I am pleased that we have been able to reach this point and I would like to thank the ITF Board of Directors for their support. There is still a lot of uncertainty, but I am sure that as we continue to unite and make the right decisions, tennis will recover strongly. “