The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has today launched a secure direct messaging service for members of the tennis family to seek advice, report a corrupt approach, or share information directly with the ITIA for further investigation.
The platform, which is available exclusively to players, officials, coaches, agents, support staff, and other individuals within sport, will allow users to communicate with the ITIA via WhatsApp, with an additional layer of identity protection available in cases where users wish to protect their personal information.
ITIA staff members from across departments will be able to respond to messages from users, including Education and Anti-Doping teams providing guidance to players seeking assurances or information about the rules, and Intelligence & Investigations responding to reports of potential integrity breaches.
The ITIA launched this service as part of its aim to provide support to players in complying with the rules, and in response to a series of surveys and research conducted among tennis’ playing cohort, which identified key themes in potential barriers to reporting, including ease of access, and concerns about being identified.
ITIA CEO Karen Moorhouse said: “We are pleased to launch The Line today, which makes contacting the ITIA for advice, or reporting, easier than ever.
“We believe that integrity starts with individuals, and it is essential that we remove barriers to sharing information. Not only is The Line easy to use, but it also offers optional protections for the user, if they feel it necessary, to provide additional peace of mind.
“An informal, direct communication line between players and the ITIA provides easy access to seek advice and avoid inadvertent breaches of the rules.
“Information we receive from individuals within tennis plays a vital role in protecting the sport, and everyone involved in it.”
The ITIA is working with global industry experts RealResponse, whose integrity partners include The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), the International Testing Agency, and the Institute of National Anti-Doping Organisations (iNADO), among others, to power The Line.
RealResponse’s software adds a layer of encryption and anonymity, if requested, for the user, and allows the ITIA to respond directly on WhatsApp, allowing for seamless, two-way secure communication.
David Chadwick, Founder and CEO of RealResponse, said: "We are proud to support the ITIA in launching The Line, a simple yet powerful tool that empowers members of the global tennis community to speak up safely and directly.
“At RealResponse, our mission is to remove barriers to communication by providing secure, anonymous, and easy-to-use technology. Partnering with the ITIA ensures that players, coaches, and officials have a trusted channel to seek guidance and share concerns - ultimately strengthening integrity and protecting the future of the sport."
The Line is available now, and can be accessed directly in player-exclusive tournament locations, as well as via player services like tour email and the Tennis Anti-Doping Portal.
Ends
Published 09 September 2025 13:00
