ITF partners with Tie Break Tens in short-format tennis

The agreement sees Tie Break Tens integrated into the ITF Junior Tennis Initiative programme, introducing the format to young players at the start of their development.

Tie Break Tens, created in 2015, is a short-form version of tennis where players compete in single tie-break matches. The format has staged 13 elite tournaments to date, featuring more than 100 professional players including Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, Venus Williams and Andy Murray, with over $2m awarded in prize money.

Events have been held at venues such as Madison Square Garden, Indian Wells and the Australian Open.

The ITF governs tennis worldwide and supports national associations across more than 200 countries. Its Junior Tennis Initiative provides opportunities for young players to access the sport at entry level.

Short-format competitions, such as T20 cricket, Rugby Sevens and 3×3 basketball, have gained prominence in recent years as sport seeks to reach new audiences and increase engagement. The partnership between the ITF and Tie Break Tens formalises the format’s place within the global tennis framework.

David Haggerty, ITF President, said, “The recognition of Tie Break Tens is a very exciting step for us. We hope integration of this dynamic format into the Junior Tennis Initiative will entice and inspire the next generation of players and encourage confidence in those high-stakes, fast-paced match moments.”

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