{"id":455661,"date":"2026-02-03T12:17:12","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T12:17:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/455661\/"},"modified":"2026-02-03T12:17:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T12:17:12","slug":"turkish-tennis-federation-chief-sets-2026-as-year-of-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/455661\/","title":{"rendered":"Turkish Tennis Federation chief sets 2026 as ‘year of action’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Turkish Tennis Federation (TTF) President \u015eafak M\u00fcderrisgil says his first year in office was devoted to data, diagnosis and restructuring, with 2026 set to mark a decisive shift from planning to execution across Turkish tennis.<\/p>\n

Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), M\u00fcderrisgil addressed the historic Australian Open performances by Turkish players, long-term support for emerging talents, Davis Cup ambitions, grassroots reforms and a growing international tournament calendar in T\u00fcrkiye.<\/p>\n

Asked to define his first two years in charge, M\u00fcderrisgil described 2025 as a foundational learning phase and 2026 as the point where strategy turns into results.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur first year was largely about data collection, analysis and laying the groundwork for restructuring,\u201d he said. \u201cYou could call it an apprenticeship year. We listened to all stakeholders, identified problems, conducted SWOT analyses and built our strategic framework. In 2026, we move fully into action, implementing what we\u2019ve learned and reshaping Turkish tennis with concrete steps.\u201d<\/p>\n

Australian Open milestones<\/p>\n

M\u00fcderrisgil praised the breakthrough performances of Zeynep S\u00f6nmez<\/a> and Ahmet Kaplan at the season\u2019s first Grand Slam.<\/p>\n

\u201cS\u00f6nmez reached the third round, becoming the first Turkish player to do so at the Australian Open, which made us immensely proud,\u201d he said. \u201cAhmet Kaplan, ranked world No. 4, reached the semifinals in quad wheelchair tennis. Both delivered outstanding results.\u201d<\/p>\n

Assessing S\u00f6nmez\u2019s development, M\u00fcderrisgil emphasized her steady upward trajectory.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s climbing the performance ladder with consistency. Her focus on variety and reading opponents is the right approach at this level. That requires strong mental resilience, which she manages well. She knows her serve needs further improvement, and that\u2019s part of the process. When you look at her career path, she\u2019s breaking records step by step, both personally and for Turkish tennis. I believe she\u2019ll reach even higher levels.\u201d<\/p>\n

Backing the next generation<\/p>\n

M\u00fcderrisgil highlighted the rise of young national players such as Kaan I\u015f\u0131k Ko\u015faner, Mustafa Ege \u015e\u0131k, Ada Kumru and Nil \u00c7ukurluo\u011flu, noting the growing depth of T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s talent pool.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re seeing diversification and growth in our talent base, which is extremely encouraging,\u201d he said. \u201cWhile our senior players continue to compete, it\u2019s vital that younger athletes gain experience, compete internationally and appear at Grand Slams. This year alone, six Turkish players competed at the Australian Open, that\u2019s hugely valuable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Central to that support is the Tennis Support Fund, launched in July 2025.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fund was created specifically to support young players,\u201d M\u00fcderrisgil said. \u201cIn just over six months, it has delivered a return of nearly 20%, reached TL 152 million ($3.5 million) with 331 investors, and generated around 750,000 lira for Turkish tennis. These numbers will grow as more tennis lovers invest. The stronger the fund becomes, the more we can ease the financial burden on athletes, families and clubs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Davis Cup ambitions<\/p>\n

T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s men\u2019s national team will face Slovenia on Feb. 6-7 in the Davis Cup World Group I playoffs, a tie M\u00fcderrisgil says is critical to the federation\u2019s long-term goals.<\/p>\n


\n \"Turkish
\n <\/a>
\n Turkish Tennis Federation (TTF) President \u015eafak M\u00fcderrisgil poses for a photo after an interview with Anadolu Agency (AA) at the federation headquarters, Ankara, T\u00fcrkiye, Jan. 26, 2026. (AA Photo) <\/p>\n

\u201cOur squad includes Mert Alkaya, Yank\u0131 Erel, Ergi K\u0131rk\u0131n, Kerem Y\u0131lmaz and Kaan I\u015f\u0131k Ko\u015faner,\u201d he said. \u201cOur immediate goal is to advance past the playoffs and remain in World Group I. Beyond that, we aim to reach the Davis Cup Qualifiers. We invite Turkish fans in Slovenia and nearby countries to support our team, we\u2019re approaching this tie with great excitement.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reshaping the league system<\/p>\n

One of the federation\u2019s key reforms for 2026 will be a redesigned national league structure, including the introduction of a 12-14 age \u201cdevelopment league.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to reach players at younger ages, when technical and tactical learning is easier and team competition can shape their mindset,\u201d M\u00fcderrisgil explained. \u201cThis structure will expand regional participation and gradually lead to a more inclusive national championship. Our aim is to see every color of T\u00fcrkiye represented, not just the same cities and clubs every year.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added that the \u201cLet\u2019s Play Tennis\u201d project, launched in 11 provinces affected by the Kahramanmara\u015f earthquakes<\/a>, will expand to 11 more cities and align with the ITF\u2019s \u201cPlay and Stay\u201d program. Efforts to grow wheelchair tennis will continue, while the federation plans to introduce its Equal Opportunities Board on International Women\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n

Istanbul to host WTA 125 event<\/p>\n

On the international calendar, M\u00fcderrisgil confirmed that Istanbul will host a WTA 125 tournament in early May.<\/p>\n

\u201cA WTA tournament has been approved and will take place in Istanbul during the week of May 4, three weeks before Roland Garros,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ve also applied to host an ATP Challenger 75 event, and we\u2019re awaiting confirmation. Both would strengthen T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s position on the global tennis map.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also underlined the federation\u2019s growing focus on padel and pickleball.<\/p>\n

T\u00fcrkiye became a member of the International Padel Federation in November 2025 and will host three FIP tournaments in 2026.<\/p>\n

In pickleball, the \u201cPickleball on Campus\u201d project will launch across 20 universities, culminating in T\u00fcrkiye hosting the European Pickleball Championships in November.<\/p>\n

Antalya, meanwhile, will host the inaugural ITF World Wheelchair Tennis Juniors Festival in May, another first for Turkish tennis.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

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