“Extremely interesting and insightful”, “thoroughly absorbing” and “wonderfully engrossing and informative” were just some of the phrases used to describe the latest edition of the ITF World Participation Conference.

The fourth edition of the conference, which was held virtually and hosted by renowned presenter Karthi Gnanasegaram, fuelled and advanced the conversation around increasing participation in tennis, sport and physical activity.

Across three compelling days of discussion, 50 speakers shared their experiences, expert knowledge and up-to-date information across 12 different topics and sessions, reflecting the conference’s theme of ‘maximising play and enjoyment to drive participation’.

Numerous ITF member nations, international sport organisations, academic institutions, ITF partners and staff contributed to and enriched the largest ITF World Participation Conference to date.

There was also a raft of keynote presentations from esteemed current and ex-players including Olympic champion Monica Puig, three-time Grand Slam winner Gustavo Kuerten and former world No. 8 Marcos Baghdatis.

The conveyor belt of playing talent kept on coming as former Australian No. 1 Casey Dellacqua, 20-time Grand Slam champion Alfie Hewett, South Africa’s Kgothatso Montjane and Angella Okutoyi of Kenya also offered valuable insight.

“It has been an honour to join the tennis and sporting community at the ITF World Participation Conference,” said Puig during a Q&A session as part of the conference. “Participation is massively important.

“Nowadays, it is so important to connect with the outside world as so often we’re on our phones, laptops or iPads, confined to this work bubble when happiness and excitement is outside.

“Playing sport is not only fun but can teach you some important life lessons also. Tennis has taught me a lot of patience and perseverance, while learning a new sport or a new skill can teach you a lot about yourself, and those tools can be used to teach others.

“Participate in sport because you love it and because it’s fun but do it also because there is so much sport can teach you. That is what I have learned through the course of my life.

“Tennis and other sports have taught me much more than I could possibly have learned from behind a screen.”

Whatever the topic – components of fun which underpin participation, ITF World Tennis Number with case studies from nations that have launched the global ratings system, the ITF’s Advantage All strategy or barriers to participation – it was discussed and analysed.

Indeed, the ITF World Participation Conference continues to grow in terms of scope and reach, and across its four editions there have been more than 1200 attendees and 130 speakers, all of which have helped drive the participation debate.

Future conferences promise to advance discussions even further, although for now there is much to consider and reflect upon following a stimulating three days which have really shaped and informed the global participation narrative.

A stream of the 2022 ITF World Participation Conference as well as individual sessions in English, French and Spanish can be accessed through the ITF Academy. Click here for further information.

Anyone registering with the ITF Academy will also gain access to a range of tennis course and a host of educational resources and content.