As World Tennis began a new chapter, it did so with a powerful message: leadership is not about waiting until you feel ready. It is about having the courage to step forward, learning along the way and creating opportunities for those who follow.

On the morning World Tennis was unveiled, five women who have all served as presidents, chairs and board leaders came together for the World Tennis Advantage All Thought Leadership webinar: Why step up when leadership calls? Lessons & Legacies. Drawing on decades of leadership experience, they reflected on the moments that shaped them, the lessons they learned along the way and the legacy they hope will inspire those who follow.

Moderated by British television and radio presenter Karthi Gnanasegaram, the discussion featured Salma Mouelhi Guizani, Åsa Hedin, Jennifer Bishop, Terri-Ann Scorer and Sandi Procter - five women whose leadership has shaped tennis at national, regional and international level.

While every journey was different, the lessons they shared were remarkably similar.

1. Don’t wait until you feel ready

No leader starts with all the answers.

Jennifer Bishop challenged one of the biggest barriers many aspiring leaders place on themselves:

"We tend to feel as though we have to check every single box that qualifies us for the role before we put our hand up to take it."

Salma Mouelhi Guizani agreed, encouraging future leaders to seize opportunities before they feel 100% prepared.

"We can only be 80 or 70% ready, but we have to get this opportunity and go in front and believe in yourself."

The message was clear: confidence often comes after taking the first step.

2. Leadership is about bringing others with you

For Åsa Hedin, great leadership is not about having all the answers, it's about creating an environment where everyone can contribute.

"Leadership is really not about being the smartest person in the room. It's about getting the collective intelligence in the room."

She summed up the courage leadership requires with one memorable piece of advice:

"If leadership calls, take the black piste."                                

3. Nobody reaches the top alone

Across every leadership story was another common thread: the importance of the people around you.

Terri-Ann Scorer reflected on the value of building a trusted network throughout her career.

"It's about having your trusted network, those mentors... but also the colleagues and the support group that you can build for yourself."

She also spoke about the lasting relationships built through the Advantage All programme, highlighting the power of a network that continues long after the programme itself.

4. Open the door wider for those who follow

Leadership is not simply about reaching the top, it's about making the journey easier for the next person.

Sandi Procter offered one of the webinar's most honest reflections.

"If you can see it, you can be it... still never occurred to me that I could be it."

Jennifer Bishop added another important perspective, highlighting the difference between mentors and sponsors, those who actively champion you when opportunities arise.

"Sponsors are the men who talk positively about you and champion you when you're not in the room."

Together, the messages reinforced an important truth: leadership isn't only about opening doors for yourself, it's about holding them open for others.

5. The title ends. The legacy doesn't.

For all five panellists, leadership was never defined by the role itself. It was defined by the difference they made while they held it and the opportunities they created after they left.

As Salma Mouelhi Guizani reflected:

"Leadership... is not about being perfect. It's about having the courage to serve, contribute and to accept each other."

The discussion was a reminder that leadership isn't reserved for those who feel ready. It's built through courage, curiosity and a willingness to keep learning. These women have reached the highest levels of tennis governance, but perhaps their greatest achievement will be inspiring the next generation to believe they can do the same.

Leadership isn't defined by the title you hold. It's defined by the people you inspire to step forward.

Watch the full recording of the World Tennis Advantage All Thought Leadership webinar: Why step up when leadership calls? Lessons & Legacies HERE.