More than 100 countries have signed up to the ITF World Tennis Number ©ITF

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has said more than 100 nations from across six continents have signed up to launch the ITF World Tennis Number, a single global tennis rating for players.

The governing body said the World Tennis Number will feature players of all ages, genders and abilities.

This will reportedly make it easier for people to find opponents that are evenly matched to them, wherever they are in the world.

The ITF say that the 100 nations to have supported the system account for 68 million tennis players, equating to 78 per cent of the world’s playing population.

The system is claimed to include a host of innovative features, including a state-of-the-art algorithm that analyses performance data and millions of match results.

This will enable players to have a real-time skill level rating, which will enable them to have more meaningful and enjoyable tennis experiences.

"Through the ITF World Tennis Number we are focused on creating a single global community of tennis players of all abilities," said ITF President David Haggerty.

"The project has received significant support from our member national associations around the world, and I am delighted that we have reached this important milestone.

"I am confident that the ITF World Tennis Number will be a game-changer for recreational tennis and an essential tool to deliver our shared goal of 30 million more players over the next ten years."


The ITF said the World Tennis Number is a key objective of the ITF 2024 strategy.

The governing body said it is part of their ambition to increase the global tennis-playing population to 120 million by 2030.

The platform, which is free to use, has been developed with the aim of supporting tennis at the recreational level.

The World Tennis Number will provide federations with the digital infrastructure to engage with players, enable new competition formats and drive participation at a national level.

The Singapore Tennis Association became the first National Federation to formally adopt the platform in January, with more countries set to launch in the coming weeks.

A pilot project will be introduced following the planned national roll-outs to use the ITF World Tennis Number as an entry acceptance criterion for ITF World Junior Tennis tournaments, which are set to begin in the latter part of 2021.