The ITF's governance responsibilities include maintaining and enforcing the rules of tennis, regulating international team competitions, promoting the game, and preserving the sport's integrity via anti-doping and anti-corruption programs.

In addition to these circuits, the ITF also maintains rankings for juniors, seniors, wheelchair and beach tennis.

Duane Williams, an American who lived in Switzerland, is generally recognized as the initiator and driving force behind the foundation of the International Tennis Federation.

[1][2] Originally called the International Lawn Tennis Federation (ILTF) it held its inaugural conference at the headquarters of the Union des Sociétés Françaises de Sports Athlétiques (USFSA), in Paris, France on 1 March 1913 which was attended by 12 national associations.

The 15 founding countries were: Australasia (Australia and New Zealand), Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

[2] The LTA was given the perpetual right to organize the World Grass Championships, which led to a refusal by the United States Lawn Tennis Association (USLTA) to join the ILTF as they were of the opinion that this title should be given to the Davis Cup.

[6] The USLTA joined in 1923 on the basis of two compromises: the title 'World Championships' would be abolished, and wording would be 'for ever in the English language'.

Its funds were moved to London, England during World War II and from that time onward the ITF has been run from there.

[1] In 1977 the word 'Lawn' was dropped from the name of the organization, in recognition of the fact that most tennis events were no longer played on grass.

[8] However, the ATP and the WTA refused to yield to international pressure to ban individual players from competition.

[12] The criteria for allocating votes (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, or 12) to each voting member are: performance in ITF team competitions; professional (ATP/WTA), junior, and wheelchair rankings of individuals; track record in organizing international tournaments; and contribution to ITF infrastructure.

[24] As with the anti-doping efforts, national associations are charged with the responsibility of enforcing a code of conduct and reporting any violations.

Since 2019, the tournament has ended with the Davis Cup Finals, an 18-team event (being reduced to 16 effective in 2022) held at a single site in which teams are divided into groups for round-robin pool play.

Davis Cup rounds are contested four times per year, scheduled to minimize disruption with the ATP Tour to encourage participation.

Billie Jean King Cup rounds are contested three times per year, scheduled to minimize disruption with the WTA Tour to encourage participation.

In 2020, 116 nations participated, making it the largest annual international team competition in women's sport.

[34] The tournament is held over one week at the start of the tennis season (late December or early January) in Australia.

[39] Wheelchair tennis was first contested at the Summer Paralympic Games as a demonstration sport in 1988, with two events being held (Men's and Women's Singles).

In addition to these circuits, the ITF also maintains rankings for juniors, seniors, wheelchair, and beach tennis.

Professional circuit tournaments are open to all tennis players aged 14 and over based on merit, and offer both prize money and world ranking points for main draw match victories.

Depending on the grade of tournament, players earn points toward the ITF Junior World Rankings.

[57] Although the selection of World Champions generally agree with the year-end ATP and WTA rankings, this is not always the case.

Lindsay Davenport, on the other hand, finished the year ranked number one, but her best performances at majors were two semifinal appearances.

The award, introduced in 1996, is considered to be the ITF's highest accolade and is named after the former French tennis player Philippe Chatrier, who was President of the governing body between 1977 and 1991.

For the men's ranking only, additional bonus points are awarded for winning on an opponent's home ground.

[66][67] Annual IPIN registration fees vary depending on the ITF circuit chosen by the player.

The ITF administers the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP) on behalf of the sport and as a WADA signatory.

In 2021, the TIU was transferred out of the ITF into the new International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) following a comprehensive review of corruption in the sport.

[70] ITF president Francesco Ricci Bitti said, "There is no room for prejudice of any kind in sport or in society.

The ITF Board decided to send a strong message to the Tunisian Tennis Federation that this kind of action will not be tolerated.