Hey friends, there are many awesome organizations in the world that promote and encourage our wonderful sport of tennis, as well as giving back generously to communities and those in need.
Check out the exciting links below. There are many organizations, so we will be updating regularly. Enjoy learning and feeling part of the buzzing tennis vibe. Yippee! It’s an amazing time for the game! B.
GLOBAL
ATP Association of Tennis Players
The ATP, Association of Tennis Players, is the principal organizing body of men’s professional tennis. It governs the worldwide circuit of men’s pro tennis players, known as the ‘ATP World Tour’. The ATP website includes all the moment-to-moment updates on men’s tennis, along with an informative breakdown of the history of the ATP, info on ‘ATP Aces for Charity’ and a ‘GET SOCIAL’ networking zone.
Davis Cup
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davis_Cup
www.daviscup.com/en/news/latest-news.aspx
The Davis Cup is the world cup of men’s tennis. Started in 1900, named after the American Harvard College student, Dwight F. Davis, the competition is now the world’s largest annual team competition in sport. 122 nations came together for the 2014 competition. But who was Dwight F. Davis? Currently, the Davis Cup Title is held by Great Britain, with the 2016 tournament starting March 4th.
Fed Cup
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazel_Hotchkiss_Wightman
www.fedcup.com/en/news/latest-news.aspx
The Fed Cup is the equivalent of the Davis Cup, but for women tennis players, the largest annual international team competition in women’s sport. The origins of the Fed Cup go back to 1919 when Mrs Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman from California devised the concept for a women’s team competition, which became the ‘Wightman Cup’, later transitioning into the ‘Federation Cup’ in 1963. Remembered as ‘the first lady of tennis’, Wightman and her legacy is an inspiration for all. Currently, the Fed Cup Title is held by the Czech Republic, with the 2016 tournament having got underway February 6th.
WTA Women’s Tennis Association
www.wtatennis.com/scontent/article/2951989/title/about-the-wta
The WTA, Women’s Tennis Association, is the principal organizing body of women’s professional tennis, governing the ‘WTA Tour’, the worldwide professional tennis tour for women. The WTA website is full of never-ending updates and facts about the women’s game, a history of the WTA founded by Billie Jean King in 1973, profiles on health, a cool shop, as well as an exciting Fan Zone.
AMERICAS
The International Tennis Hall of Fame – Rhode Island
The International Tennis Hall of Fame is home to the greatest tennis museum in world, located in Newport, Rhode Island, USA. The museum tells the story of the history of the sport from its 12th Century origins to today. Many tennis treasures are on display, including trophies, clothing belonging to the game’s biggest stars, vintage tennis equipment and much more. After an extensive renovation, the museum has recently re-opened with a new star attraction, ‘Roger Federer’ himself, as a life-size speaking ‘holographic’ figure. Otto Graph can’t wait to see him!
Princeton Tennis Program
Princeton, New Jersey, is home to the ‘Princeton Tennis Program’, a non-profit community tennis association which is one of the finest tennis organizations in the USA. PTP provides excellent tennis opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds and financial situations.
Tennis Books & Artifacts Exhibition – Thomas Cooper Library, University of South Carolina
library.sc.edu/spcoll/hist/tennis/tennis.html
The Thomas Cooper Library at the University of South Carolina is home to an extraordinary, permanent exhibition of rare ‘tennis books’, as well as engravings and unique tennis memorabilia, that tells the story of tennis over the past seven centuries. This is one of the largest collections of tennis archival material in the world. A high point of the collection is the ‘very first book about tennis’, Antonio Scaino’s, ‘Trattato del Givoco Della Palla’, published in Italy, 1555. This is a must-visit exhibition for all tennis lovers, both of the game and its long, epic history.
ASIA
Delhi Gymkhana Club
delhigymkhana.org.in/facilitiesDetails.php?f_id=12
The Delhi Gymkhana Club, located in New Delhi, India, is one of the oldest sports clubs in the country. The club has the distinction of twenty-six grass courts (and four clay, three synthetic), which date back to 1940, as well as a healthy training academy for juniors. Not forgetting that the club boasts an incredible ‘library’ of approximately 35,000 books. One never knows where the next great tennis player or writer in the world may come from!
Krissman International Tennis School – Tokyo
Founded by visionary American tennis professional, Allen Krissman, in 1984, the Krissman International Tennis School, Tokyo, has established itself as the trusted best, fun and most reliable learning experience for tennis in this historic city. No matter what level of skill, from beginner to advanced, all are welcome, at a reasonable cost. Classes are uniquely taught in English by coaches mostly certified by the United States Professional Tennis Association – USPTA.
Tokyo Olympics Tennis 2020
https://tokyo2020.jp/en/games/sport/olympic/tennis/
The Olympics and Paralympics are coming to Tokyo, Japan in 2020 and tennis is set to be one of the key sports at this fantastic occasion where many of the world’s cultures and athletic talents will be represented.
GB & EUROPE
‘Barks and Bunnies’ donating tennis balls
One of the best activities for any tennis ball is to play with a friendly dog in the garden. This summer, ‘Barks and Bunnies’ is actually donating tennis balls to dogs at a local animal shelter so that new friendships can be made.
BNP Paribas
www.bnpparibas.com/en/about-us/tennis
Besides being ‘the bank for a changing world’, BNP Paribas is the number one financial sponsor of tennis worldwide. However, BNP’s involvement in tennis is on many levels – supporting local events and big tournaments, newcomers to the game and the top pros, along with courageous disabled players.
ITF – International Tennis Federation – Juniors Circuit
www.itftennis.com/juniors/home.aspx
Having a chance to be a successful tennis player as a career starts with playing as a kid. The ‘International Tennis Federation’ created the ‘Junior Circuit’ in 1977 (currently for ages 14 and under), which, as of 2014, consists of 400 tournaments in 114 countries. For all the newcomers with big goals and dreams in the tennis world, this is a great place to start.
LTA – Lawn Tennis Association – Disability Tennis
www3.lta.org.uk/Tennis-Foundation/Tennis-for-Disabled-People
The Lawn Tennis Association, known as the LTA, is the governing body of tennis in the British Isles. Within the LTA, the ‘Tennis Foundation’ organizes amazing opportunities for tennis players with disabilities to play the game they love and have lots of fun in the process. Disabilities can range from deafness, learning difficulties, wheelchair and visually impaired.
The Wimbledon Foundation
www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/about_aeltc/201205091336573471089.html
Wimbledon and its green grass is the oldest of the Grand Slam tournaments, officially known as ‘The All England Lawn Tennis Club’. ‘Wimbledon’ is not only home to the ‘Wimbledon Museum,’ but also ‘The Wimbledon Foundation’, which is the charity of the AELTC. Through the year, The Wimbledon Foundation conducts an extensive generous program of community and charitable activities within and outside the tennis world that aims to change people’s lives for the better.
