20 March 2025
Tennis Europe General Assembly Press Conference Convened
The press conference of the Tennis Europe General Assembly, which will be held at Limak Atlantis Hotel between March 20-22, 2025, took place with the participation of Turkish Tennis Federation (TTF) President Şafak Müderrisgil, Tennis Europe (TE) President Henrik Thorsøe Pedersen, International Tennis Federation (ITF) Board Member and German Tennis Federation President Dietloff von Arnim.
Leaders of European Tennis Gather in Antalya for Tennis Europe’s 50th Anniversary
Expressing her pride and pleasure in hosting the Tennis Europe General Assembly, President of the Turkish Tennis Federation Şafak Müderrisgil stated: “As the Turkish Tennis Federation, it is a great honor for us to host this prestigious event once again, this time in Antalya, marking the 50th anniversary of Tennis Europe. We had the privilege of hosting the General Assembly for the first time in Istanbul in 1992, and being the host again in such a milestone year is a source of great pride. It is a real pleasure to be here among leaders who contribute to the development of tennis.”
Tennis Europe plays a vital role in promoting and developing the sport of tennis in Europe. Today, we gather here to explore how we can work together to move closer to these shared goals. As Türkiye, we consistently emphasize the importance of tennis for both our athletes and our social structure, and we are committed to making the sport more accessible to our youth, children, and people of all age groups.
Türkiye has been hosting many Tennis Europe tournaments for a long time with its operational strength, organizational capacity and facilities. Organizing an average of 20 Tennis Europe tournaments per year, Türkiye currently ranks as the third country in Europe with the highest
number of Tennis Europe events. These tournaments and events that we host offer significant opportunities to strengthen our collaboration with other member nations and to showcase Türkiye’s organizational capabilities and facility infrastructure. Antalya, with nearly 500 tennis courts, holds great potential in terms of sports tourism. In 2024, we hosted 98 international tournaments in Antalya. It is fair to say that the Antalya has become a key destination for global tennis.”
“This meeting will pave the way for new cooperation opportunities”
Müderrisgil emphasized that the Tennis Europe General Assembly, attended by Presidents and Secretaries General of the federations from 44 countries over the course of three days, would serve not only as a platform for discussions about tennis but also as an important meeting ground built on friendship, cooperation, and solidarity.
President Müderrisgil stated that the Turkish Tennis Federation is always ready to contribute to the achievement of Tennis Europe’s goals: “It is a genuine pleasure to observe that the collaboration established has contributed to the growth and wider reach of the sport of tennis. There is full confidence that this meeting will further strengthen solidarity and pave the way for new cooperation opportunities. In conclusion, sincere thanks are extended for the participation and support. Wishing a successful and productive meeting.”
"It Is a Great Pleasure to Bring Our Annual General Meeting to Such a Tennis City"
Expressing his delight to be in Antalya for the celebration of the 50th Annual General Meeting of Tennis Europe, Tennis Europe President Henrik Thorsøe Pedersen noted: "I would like to thank President Müderrisgil for the kind invitation to host such a significant event in Antalya. I know that the Tennis Europe staff are very pleased to work alongside the Turkish Tennis Federation, and that all delegates are looking forward to their time in Antalya. Tennis Europe, also known as the European Tennis Federation, was established in 1975 and currently includes 50 member nations across the continent, ranging from smaller principalities like Monaco and San Marino to Grand Slam nations such as France and Great Britain. Our mission is to ensure the smooth development of the sport in the region, promote cooperation among countries, provide opportunities for players of all ages and levels to play tennis, and carry out certain responsibilities on behalf of the sport’s governing body, the ITF. Our core activity is the Tennis Europe Junior Tour, which offers officially sanctioned international tournaments for players aged under 12, 14, and 16, providing a first step on the pathway to professional tennis. Almost all of Europe’s top players have enjoyed participating in these youth events, which have left them with many fond memories.”
Highlighting Antalya’s as a city synonymous with tennis, Tennis Europe President Henrik Thorsøe Pedersen remarked: "It is a great pleasure for us to bring our Annual General Meeting to such a Tennis City. Since joining Tennis Europe in 1977, the Turkish Tennis Federation has been a highly active and valuable member, making significant contributions to European tennis. Türkiye organizes significantly more tournaments for young players compared to many similar countries, ranking third among European nations in terms of the number of Junior Tour events held annually. Earlier this month, the Turkish Tennis Federation hosted our most important annual development event for the 14th consecutive year. The Development Championships bring together players and coaches from developing nations in training camps and Junior Tour tournaments, giving them a chance to learn, build connections, earn ranking points, and even qualify for ITF Touring Teams later in the year. Türkiye also regularly hosts the European Masters Club Championships, Europe’s premier club competition for senior players. Most recently, in November, 500 players representing 100 European clubs competed in Antalya, where Turkish teams secured five European titles. While hosting such a wide range of events presents certain logistical and financial challenges, but our hosts in Türkiye continue to manage them each year with remarkable professionalism.”
Topics Shaping the Future of Tennis to Be Addressed at the Tennis Europe General Assembly
Highlighting that representatives from across Europe are coming together to discuss key issues impacting the sport of tennis, Tennis Europe President Henrik Thorsøe Pedersen shared details about the General Assembly agenda: “Saturday’s plenary session will provide our members with updates on the progress and projects achieved since last year and offer a platform to discuss and review new policies. The Friday conference session will serve as a valuable opportunity for national federation presidents, general managers, and executive committee chairs to connect and exchange views on a wide range of topics affecting all nations, including digitalisation, communication strategies, sponsorship, and gender equality. The session will feature presentations by representatives from several member nations, enabling delegates to learn from one another’s experiences and best practices, while also collaborating in working groups to find solutions to the challenges of our time.”
Another element for our member nations is the presence of the International Tennis Federation (ITF), which sends a strong delegation each year to brief the assembly on the latest developments. We are grateful not only for their participation but also for providing a platform that enables a smooth exchange of ideas between the ITF and nations. As the ITF’s Regional Association, it is essential that we all remain aligned for the sustainability and continued growth of our sport. In closing, I would like to once again express my gratitude to the Turkish Tennis Federation. There is much to look forward to in the days ahead, and truly, no better place comes to mind for gathering Europe’s top tennis executives for a weekend of friendship and cooperation and for launching the 50th anniversary celebrations of Tennis Europe.
There Are 106 Million Tennis Players Worldwide
Dietloff von Arnim, ITF Board Member and President of the German Tennis Federation, stated the following in his speech: "Today, I stand before you wearing two hats, as a member of the ITF Board and as President of the German Tennis Federation. Both roles are significant, especially considering that many German players are currently participating in tournaments here in Antalya. It is a great pleasure for me to be here today. According to data published in the latest three-year report, there are 106 million tennis players worldwide. This is a crucial figure for all member federations, as expanding the reach of tennis and encouraging more young people to take up the sport is a shared mission. On the tournament level, we are witnessing a steady increase in the number of tournaments being held each year, not only in Türkiye but globally. These tournaments are organized across various categories including junior, professional, masters, wheelchair, and beach tennis events. Digitalization is another key focus area for the ITF. As the German Tennis Federation, we currently have 1.5 million members, 400,000 of whom actively participate in club matches. We are also working to guide their children toward tennis, with a particular emphasis on promoting gender equality by encouraging girls to take up the sport. Over the past four years, we have gained 120,000 new members. Today, many German players are competing here in Antalya, and this benefits everyone involved. Turkish sponsors have even begun to show interest in German players. Corendon has been one of our sponsors since 2023, and I would like to extend my special thanks to them."
20 March 2025
