ITF signs MOU with Virtus support tennis for intellectual impairment

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the International Sports Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairment (Virtus) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to build stronger ties and promote the growth of tennis for athletes with intellectual impairment across the globe.

The agreement reflects a shared commitment to making tennis more inclusive and ensuring the sport is accessible to everyone, regardless of the barriers created by disability. It also marks an important step towards expanding participation opportunities and supporting the long-term growth and sustainability of tennis for players with intellectual impairment worldwide.

Through the MOU, the ITF will work with Virtus to gain a deeper understanding of the current landscape for tennis for players with intellectual impairment. This includes exploring how the sport is organised and governed, the regulatory framework that underpins competition and classification, and the specific requirements of the playing environment.

The collaboration will also enable the ITF to gather insights into participation pathways, coaching, facilities, events and the wider ecosystem supporting the sport. This information will help inform future growth strategies and identify commonalities with other tennis variations, including wheelchair tennis.

In turn, Virtus will benefit from the ITF’s experience as the global governing body for tennis, particularly in areas such as governance, classification, regulation and the development of disability tennis disciplines. Virtus, meanwhile, oversees an annual programme of high-quality regional and world competitions, maintains transparent governance and classification systems, and works to expand tennis opportunities for athletes with intellectual impairment worldwide. The agreement also supports cooperation around the promotion and development of key events and initiatives, as well as increased engagement with national tennis associations.

Reflecting the ITF’s 2024+4 strategy, the MOU reinforces the organisation’s constitutional purpose to encourage universal participation and oppose discrimination in all its forms. It also reflects Virtus’ mission to promote fair, transparent and high-quality sporting opportunities for athletes with intellectual impairment worldwide.

By working together and sharing expertise, the ITF and Virtus seek to develop tennis for athletes with intellectual impairment at every level and strengthen pathways from grassroots to elite play.

For more information, visit: https://virtus.sport/