Opportunity is key, says World Tennis Conference
If World Tennis’s global network of 214 nations is the engine of tennis, then its Conference and AGM is the engine room. The annual assembly fuels the nations’ ambitions for growing the game in their own countries, and powers World Tennis’s understanding of the global tennis landscape across its vast, diverse membership.
With 'A World of Opportunity' as its theme, delegates from 128 nations gathered for the 2026 World Tennis Conference and AGM in Almaty, Kazakhstan on 12-13 October for two days of conference presentations and its formal Annual General Meeting. The event was hosted by the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation under its President, Bulat Utemuratov.
The key takeaway was that World Tennis and its member National Associations must ensure that they are providing opportunities for everyone to get involved in tennis, however they choose. This means attracting and keeping players of all ages and abilities in the sport, and engaging fans all over the world.
Through the presentations on subjects ranging from grassroots participation to major team events to Masters competition, World Tennis showed how it can support the nations to create these opportunities at home and ensure tennis thrives for years to come.
World Tennis President David Haggerty addressed delegates from 128 nations in Almaty
"We are the welcoming gateway to one of the world’s most high-profile sports, followed by billions and headlined by iconic global stars," said World Tennis President David Haggerty. "But we should remember that tennis begins in local communities, and the efforts of our member nations in their own countries have global impact. The work of our national associations, working in tandem with us, is vital in starting that ripple effect."
There was a palpable buzz around the Conference venue as the nations who had travelled to Almaty made the most of the opportunity to meet with other nations, delegates from their affiliated Regional Associations and representatives of World Tennis.
Gathering in one place provides valuable connection between global governing body and nations, while also fostering connection between member nations. The World Tennis global network takes in nations of all sizes and at all stages of tennis maturity, but they have a shared passion for tennis and a commitment to growing and developing the sport.
During the formal World Tennis AGM, member nations ("The AGM Council") considered several resolutions relating to membership and the World Tennis Constitution. During this session, The AGM Council voted to maintain the suspensions of the Russian Tennis Federation and the Belarus Tennis Federation from its membership.
Other resolutions included the assembly voting for three changes of names for World Tennis competitions.
The season-ending Wheelchair Tennis Masters will become the Wheelchair Finals with immediate effect, in time for the 2026 event being staged in Barcelona, Spain in November.
For the World Tennis Masters Championships, the 30+ team competitions will now be known as the Leander Paes Cup and Marie Pinterova Cup for the men’s and women’s events respectively.