Former APT boss defends ITF: ”Not strange in my world — lack of structure”

The International Tennis Federation's (ITF) annual general meeting on Monday attracted a lot of attention as they voted on becoming the governing body of the sport of padel. The proposal did not receive the required majority of at least two-thirds. But despite this, the proposal has provoked reactions.

— This is not strange in my world. Around the world, padel is already under the respective tennis federations in several places. Tennis would have a lot to offer in terms of structure, financial help, and access to the big venues in the world, says Thomas Johansson, former tennis player and General Manager of the APT tour. 

The proposal was criticized harshly by the players' association PPA, headed by president Ale Galan. And the International Padel Federation (FIP), the global governing body since 1991, filed a case against the ITF with CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport).

The PPA was clear in its criticism in a letter that was issued: 

”We find it even stranger that you are trying to do this without respecting the players, our athletes - the heart of the sport. It must be said that such an oversight shows not only that you are trying to push through a takeover by stealth but also that you are showing a tremendous lack of respect for the players.”

Thomas Johansson explains why it arouses such strong emotions in the sport of padel: 

— Padel wants to shape its path and have its own identity. You don't want to be a little brother. It's an incredible sport, but the lack of structure is the biggest challenge.

Change is needed for the future.

Finally, Thomas Johansson talks about the future of the sport, and he has a clear opinion on what needs to be improved:

— This mess with three different world tours where nobody wants to talk to each other is not going to work. Conversations are needed. Unfortunately, there are too many private interests in the sport. I think tennis could have offered something here," concludes Thomas Johansson.