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International Tennis Hall of Fame
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Eligibility & Voting Process

Induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame is the ultimate honor in tennis. It represents the sum of one's achievements and contributions as being among the most important and transformative in the tennis industry. Since 1954, this honor has been presented to just 267 individuals from 28 nations. 

The International Tennis Hall of Fame Induction Process
TALLYING THE VOTE

To be elected into the Hall of Fame, a candidate must receive an affirmative vote of 75% or more from the Official Voting Group result or a combined total of 75% or more from the Official Voting Group result and any bonus percentage points they earn through the Fan Vote. Votes are tallied by an independent accounting firm. 

WHO GETS TO VOTE?

The Committees and Voting Groups are comprised of global tennis media, historians, and industry leaders who are highly knowledgeable about the sport, its history, and its personalities. This includes many Hall of Famers who take part in voting. The Committees and Voting Groups are carefully vetted annually and all members are required to adhere to established criteria within the policies and procedures to ensure the groups are the most appropriate representatives of the sport. 

FAN VOTING

Tennis fans all over the world have a say in the ITHF election process too! Each year, fans are invited to cast their vote for who they think is most deserving of the Ultimate Honor in Tennis. Like the Official Voting Groups, the fans can vote for as many nominees as they like, but they can only vote once. Fan Voting only applies to the Player Category.


The top three vote getters in the Fan Vote earn bonus percentage points added to their result from the ITHF Player Voting Group.

  • 1st Place: 3 bonus percentage points
  • 2nd Place: 2 bonus percentage points
  • 3rd Place: 1 bonus percentage point

INDUCTION CATEGORIES AND ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The International Tennis Hall of Fame offers three induction categories: Player, Contributor, and Wheelchair.

PLAYER CATEGORY
  • Active as a competitor in the sport within the last 20 years prior to consideration
  • Not a significant factor on the ATP Tour or the WTA within five calendar years prior to election (Example: If a player retires anytime in 2020, then the player is eligible for induction in 2025)
  • A distinguished record of competitive achievement at the highest international level
  • Consideration will be given to integrity, sportsmanship, and character
  • The Player Category is considered annually and there is no minimum or maximum to the number of players that can be considered

Length of Time on Ballot

If a Player Category candidate is put on the ballot but not voted in, they will remain on the ballot for the next two years, unless they are voted in or become ineligible based on the year of their retirement.
 

 

CONTRIBUTOR CATEGORY

  • Either five years removed from committed work in tennis or at least 65 years of age
  • A true pioneer, visionary leader, or individual / group who has made a transcendent impact on the sport
  • Consideration will be given to integrity, sportsmanship, and character
  • The Contributor Category is eligible for consideration every 2 years, and a maximum of 2 candidates are eligible to be elected

WHEELCHAIR TENNIS CATEGORY

  • Active as competitors in the sport within the last twenty years prior to consideration
  • Not a significant factor on the ITF Wheelchair Tennis Tour within five calendar years prior to election (Example: If a player retires anytime in 2020, then the player is eligible for induction in 2025)
  • A distinguished record of competitive achievement at the highest international level
  • Consideration will be given to integrity, sportsmanship, and character
  • The Wheelchair Tennis Category is eligible for consideration every 4 years, and a maximum of 2 candidates are eligible to be elected

SCHEDULE OF ELIGIBILITY

The Player Category is eligible for induction annually, the Contributor Category is eligible every 2 years, and the Wheelchair Tennis Category is eligible every 4 years. The upcoming schedule of eligibility is as follows:

2025

Player

2026

Player &
Contributor

2027

Player &
Wheelchair Tennis

2028

Player &
Contributor

2029

Player

2030

Player &
Contributor

NOMINATION FORMS

Anyone can submit a nomination for International Tennis Hall of Fame induction.  Use the links below to submit a nomination form. 

Deadline: 

January 10 of year prior to induction eligibility year.

Class of 2026, due January 10, 2025

Class of 2027, due January 10, 2026

Class of 2028, due January 10, 2027


Any nominations submitted will be considered for a future year, based on the schedule above. Thank you.

QUESTIONS?

Please direct any questions to the following staff:

Anne Marie McLaughlin, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Industry Relations: amclaughlin@tennisfame.com

Katie Harnett, Manager of Research and Education: kharnett@tennisfame.com

Mary Culler, Museum Special Projects Coordinator: mculler@tennisfame.com

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