With Roger, Serena, Rafa, Ash En Route, Tennis Hall Of Fame Plans Major Renovation
Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at 02:27PM By Barry Janoff
June 25, 2024: Anticipating the induction in the “next five-to-ten years” of such stars as Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Venus Williams, Andy Murray and Ash Barty, the International Tennis Hall of Fame said it is launching a multimillion dollar museum transformation project on the property in Newport, Rhode Island.
This would be the first museum renovation the Hall of Fame has undertaken since 2015.
The $3 million renovation includes doubling the museum’s exhibit space, a complete redesign of the plaque gallery and such additions as The Roger Federer Hologram, a new immersive experience presented by Rolex.
Renovations are scheduled to begin in November, with the museum closed to the public until a planned reopening in May 2025.
The International Tennis Hall of Fame said players are eligible for Hall of Fame induction “five years after they were last a significant factor” on the ATP or WTA tours.
Federer and Serena Williams both officially retired in September 2022, Ash Barty in March 2022, according to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, so they would be eligible for the Class of 2027.
Both Nadal and Murray have indicated that 2024 could be their last year on the ATP Tour. Venus Williams has not retired but turned 44 on June 17.
“When you think about this golden era of who’s going to be inducted coming up in the next five-to-ten years, it’s perfect timing,” Hall CEO Dan Faber said during a media conference. “We are very honored to accomplish this for the Hall of Fame.”
“We want to preserve the incredible history of tennis that is already out there, but also prepare for the global attention that's coming to Newport. The timing is perfect, especially with the upcoming tennis inductions over the next five years or so.”
The plan comes with its own promo spot, "ITHF Renovations Coming 2025!"
Other players who have recently retried include former World No. 1 and 2021 WTA Finals winner Garbiñe Muguruza (May 2024), John Isner (September 2023), Samantha Stosur (January 2023) and Maria Sharapova (February 2020).
“The golden era of tennis is perhaps retiring, but it’s upon us,” Julianna Barbieri, International Tennis Hall of Fame svp-content and partnerships, said during the media event, which also was attended by International Tennis Hall of Fame president Patrick McEnroe.
“Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Venus Williams are going to become Hall of Famers, and it was time for us to take what was in the current gallery and modernize that, modernize that to the present day, modernize that for the evolution of the sport and make that fit more within who and what the game has evolved to from 2008.”
Beginning with the Class of 2025 Induction, all Hall of Famers past-and-future will receive a cast racquet as a “symbol of receiving the ultimate honor in tennis.” Racquets will be on display in a new Hall of Famers’ Gallery. 
“As the Hall of Fame works to preserve tennis history as it happens, these renovations will enable a wider variety of recent acquisitions from current stars and Hall of Famers to be on display simultaneously," according to the International Hall of Fame.
Also among the planned changes are a Celebration Gallery, a space celebrating the sport of tennis through the stories of its legends, across generations, which will include a new Augmented Reality Sculpture; and a new Museum Retail footprint with bespoke, commemorative items.
Advent, a Nashville-based experiential design firm, was selected to lead the renovations,
The International Tennis Hall of Fame is set in The Newport Casino, a National Historic Landmark that opened on July 26, 1880
The International Tennis Hall of Fame is a Smithsonian Affiliate and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.
Photos: ITHF
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