ITF signs MOU With Virtus To Support Tennis For Players With Intellectual Impairment

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Virtus, the International Sports Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairment, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen ties and promote the growth of tennis for athletes with intellectual impairments worldwide.

The agreement highlights a shared commitment to inclusion, with both organisations working to ensure tennis is accessible to all, regardless of disability-related barriers. It represents a significant step toward expanding participation opportunities and supporting the long-term growth and sustainability of tennis for players with intellectual impairment globally.

Under the MOU, Virtus will collaborate with the ITF to build a clearer understanding of the current landscape of tennis for athletes with intellectual impairment. This includes examining how the sport is organised and governed, the regulatory and classification frameworks that support competition, and the specific requirements of the playing environment.

The partnership will also allow the ITF to gain valuable insights into participation pathways, coaching structures, facilities, events, and the wider ecosystem that supports the sport. These insights will help shape future growth strategies and identify areas of alignment with other tennis disciplines, including wheelchair tennis.

Virtus will benefit from the ITF’s expertise as the global governing body for tennis, particularly in governance, classification, regulation, and the development of disability tennis disciplines. At the same time, Virtus continues to oversee a robust annual programme of regional and world-level competitions, operate transparent governance and classification systems, and actively expand tennis opportunities for athletes with intellectual impairment worldwide. The agreement also encourages cooperation in promoting and developing key events and initiatives, while strengthening engagement with national tennis associations.

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

Through shared expertise and close collaboration, the ITF and Virtus aim to develop tennis for athletes with intellectual impairment at all levels, strengthening pathways from grassroots participation to elite competition.

For more information, visit: https://www.itftennis.com/en/