The International Tennis Federation (ITF) is the governing body of world tennis, made up of 210 national tennis associations or corresponding organizations of independent countries or territories.
It was established as the International Lawn Tennis Federation (ILTF) by 12 national associations meeting at a conference in Paris, France on 1 March 1913, and discussions on rules and policy continued through 1923. It was at this time that two compromises were reached: the title "world championships" would be abolished and wording would be "for ever in the English language." In 1924 it became the officially recognised organisation with authority to control lawn tennis throughout the world, with official 'ILTF Rules of Tennis'. In 1977 it dropped the word 'lawn' from its title, recognising that most tennis was no longer played on grass.
Originally based in Paris, its funds were moved to London, England during World War II; From that time onwards the ILTF/ITF has been run from London. Until 1987, the ITF was based at Wimbledon, it then moved to Barons Court, near Queens Club, and then moved again in 1998 to the Bank of England Sports Ground, Roehampton.
Its official annual is The ITF Year, describing the activities of the ITF over last 12 months. This replaced World of Tennis which was the official annual from 1969 to 2001.
Read more about International Tennis Federation: Function, ITN, IPIN
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