The ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors – the breeding ground for the stars of tomorrow and a major step on the ITF player pathway – is enjoying another outstanding year. The Tour is set for a record-breaking 12 months and is predicted to host in excess of 1,000 tournaments for the first time.
A key purpose of the ITF is the building of a pathway to the top of the game – from playground to podium – and the creation of local opportunities so players everywhere can chase their dreams.
From junior tournaments which feed the professional ITF World Tennis Tour, the ITF’s mission is to create opportunities for talent to rise, while actively supporting players from underrepresented nations.
To enhance everything which the ITF stands for, key changes will be made to the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors from 1 January 2026 to further boost the development of talented individuals.
“We are excited to announce these changes for the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors which help to ensure that talent can shine no matter where it comes from," said Matt Byford, the ITF's Executive Director of Juniors, Masters and Beach Tennis.
New round robin format at J30 and J60 events
There will be a hybrid approach at J30 and J60 tournaments in 2026 with a new round-robin to elimination format introduced at certain tournaments (the current elimination-only format will continue at other J30 and J60 events)
Under the round-robin to elimination format, a round robin group stage will take place across the first three days of events with 32 players divided into eight groups of four. The top-placed player after the round robin will advance to the quarter-finals.
The reason behind the change is that the current elimination-only format means that 50 per cent of players who lose their first match have no further playing opportunities at that tournament. Under the new format, those players will benefit from more competitive experience.
It is generally accepted that players aged 13-16 on the international pathway should compete in 50-70 high-quality matches over a calendar year to be competitive on the pathway, which may be achieved in fewer tournaments through this draw format.
It will also cut down on the travelling players have to undertake for a solitary match and provide better value for money for players and their families.
Players will be clearly directed at entry stage as to whether the tournament they are entering is using the existing elimination format or the round-robin to elimination format.
"Introducing round-robin formats at J30 and J60 level will give more players the competitive opportunities they need to develop and gain valuable international competition experience," added Byford.
"With more matches, fairer access, improved value, and ever-growing opportunities – these changes strengthen the international player pathway and help the next generation of players to progress."
Extension of ITF World Tennis Number as acceptance criteria
Since May 2022, the ITF World Tennis Number (WTN) has been used as a secondary measure for acceptance at ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors events. From 1 January 2026, the application of WTN will be extended.
While most direct acceptances will still be determined by ITF World Tennis Tour junior rankings, a proportion of direct acceptances into qualifying and main draw singles at J30 and J60 events will be granted to players based on their WTN alone.
For context, six direct acceptances in a draw size of 32 will be awarded to players based on their WTN. This will ensure that players progressing on national and regional tours with a strong WTN relative to other players who may have a better ITF junior ranking can gain exposure to ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors events.
This will contribute to the development of those players and boost their progression on the ITF player pathway.
Evolution of the 16-and-under Regional Reserved Programme
The ITF 16-and-under Regional Reserved Programme, which was introduced in 2019, ensures a limited number of places at certain ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors events are reserved for players from specific regions.
The programme aims to provide exposure to higher-level competition for talented juniors who may not otherwise qualify for these tournaments, facilitating their transition to professional play.
Up to 2025, the Junior Regional Reserved Programme was only available to players from Europe and South America with a 16-and-under regional ranking.
The existing 16-and-under Regional Reserved Programme will evolve and, from 1 January 2026, include all regions, with WTN the measure for acceptance for all regions.
In practice, for a tournament with a draw size of 32, up to two players aged 16-and-under from the same region will be awarded direct acceptance to the main draw based on their WTN (provided they are not already accepted in to the main draw based on their ITF junior ranking).
The programme will be renamed the 16&U WTN Regional Reserved Programme, which will provide a consistent and fair app
roach for players across all regions.
