In a landmark achievement for tennis in Thailand, the Royal Cliff Hotels Group and FITZ Club Pattaya have been awarded the ITF Masters Star Recognition Award 2025 for their exemplary execution in hosting ITF tournaments. This is the first time in history that the award has been granted to a venue in Thailand.
Out of many thousands, there are only 8 venues that have won this award.
- Beaulieu-sur-Mer, FRA
- Wenzhou, CHN
- Brasilia, BRA
- Wimbledon – Closed, GBR
- Santiago, CHI
- Hong Kong, HKG
- Mexico City, MEX
- Pattaya, THA (FITZ Club)
At the heart of this momentous achievement is Khun Vitanart Vathanakul, the Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Cliff Hotels Group, who is the first Thai national to receive this honour and the impeccable host of yearly tournaments that has redefined what world-class tennis hospitality means in Southeast Asia. With a passion for tennis and a goal to position Pattaya and Thailand as a premier sports destination, this recognition is deeply personal for Khun Vitanart, who has spent years learning ITF standards, exceeding its benchmarks, and raising the bar to achieve a first-class tennis tournament experience in Southeast Asia. This distinction does not only reflect institutional excellence, but the remarkable individual leadership required to transform a premium sports venue to a tennis enthusiast’s dream destination.
“We were absolutely over the moon when we received the congratulatory message from the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Masters Committees. It was an incredible moment—an overwhelming sense of happiness—because I know just how much this award means to my team and me. The feeling was almost on par with the first time I won the ITF Masters Tour Championship.
When I shared the news with the team, they were jumping for joy. You could instantly feel a surge of energy and pride. This recognition has given everyone an even stronger sense of purpose—it reinforces exactly why we work so passionately and tirelessly to deliver world-class sporting events at Royal Cliff Hotels Group and Fitz Club.”
– Khun Vitanart Vathanakul, CEO of the Royal Cliff Hotels Group
According to Khun Vitanart, when the ITF Masters team introduced the Star Recognition Award, it became clear to his team that this would be their goal – to give their very best on whatever task or event was assigned, taking no shortcuts and putting their heart and soul into every aspect. The Royal Cliff team truly commits to improving every single year. Khun Vitanart even travels around the world to learn from other top venues to understand what makes them successful, and then applies those insights to continuously elevate Royal Cliff’s own tournament.
A key turning point in the way Khun Vitanart organises tennis tournaments came after receiving advice from a highly respected tennis player who also owns a sports club. He was told that if he truly wanted to elevate the event, he needed to play in it and experience it from a player’s perspective, and Khun Vitanart hasn’t looked back since – competing in numerous tennis tournaments across the world. His passion for tennis, combined with his experience as a competitor, has fundamentally shaped how he organises and continuously improves on tournaments hosted by the Royal Cliff and FITZ Club. Every detail is covered, with on-site stringing services, medical support, massage therapists, and physiotherapy experts. Beyond that, whether it’s a spectacular welcome dinner or a unique touch like themed afternoon tea with tennis-inspired decorations, the Royal Cliff aims to go the extra mile to enhance the player experience. A tournament on Royal Cliff and FITZ Club grounds is truly unique because it blends world-class tournament standards with a luxury resort experience – all designed through the perspective of a competitive player.
About the ITF Tournament Recognition Program
The ITF Tournament Recognition Program recognises the best-performing tournaments across various grades of the ITF World Tour under the ITF’s evaluation program. It covers men’s, women’s, and juniors’ competitions that demonstrate commitment and consistency in their tournament delivery. The goal of this recognition is to motivate tournaments and show appreciation for those who perform excellently in enhancing the tournament experience for players, support team members, and officials.
Upon being granted the award, successful tournaments are given a badge of recognition on the official tournament page and the tournament calendar on the ITF website. The tournament director also receives a letter of appreciation and a certificate from the ITF to recognise this incredible success. Additionally, the tournament organisers are presented with a plaque for their contribution in providing consistent tournament opportunities for players.
ITF Tournament Recognition Program Criteria
The award is granted based on the data received from the most recent tournament. If standards have fallen based upon the above-mentioned criteria, then the award is removed, encouraging hosts to sustain their excellence each year. It is acknowledged that the higher the grade the better the feedback metrics. The breakdown and metric (measured on a 1-5 scale) are as follows:
| ITF Masters World Tennis Tour | |
| MT700 & MT1000 | 4.5 |
| MT400 | 4.4 |
| MT100 & MT200 | 4.3 |
Qualifying for the ITF Recognition Award
To earn the star recognition, tournaments must meet all 3 very challenging criterias.
1. Tournament Feedback Survey
On the Wednesday of the tournament week, a survey is sent to the IPIN registered email address of players who participated in the tournament. Players are asked to rate key elements of the tournament and their overall experience. This includes elements such as communication, scheduling, standard of facilities, value for money, and tournament satisfaction. The tournament can score no less than 3 (‘average’) on the ‘overall satisfaction’ question. These results are used as a measure of player satisfaction with the tournament delivery.
2. Tournament Supervisor Report
ITF Supervisors are required to submit a report following each tournament. Supervisors are required to rate the equivalent metrics to the Tournament Feedback Survey. No metric can score less than 3 (‘average’). This report must be successfully received for the tournament to be considered.
3. Timely Submission
National Associations or Tournament Directors must ensure a timely submission of the tournament application, tournament fact sheet, and any required additional documentation for the tournament to be considered.
What This Means for The Future of Tennis in Thailand
Guided by leadership that understands the sport as deeply as it understands luxury hospitality, the Royal Cliff and FITZ Club facilities have long been considered among the finest in the region. The property’s dedicated tennis infrastructure, combined with its five-star hospitality and logistical capacity, make it a natural fit for international competition. Recognition at this level does not simply validate what has been done, but sets a benchmark for what comes next: an even higher standard, more attention-gripping tournaments, and deeper overall satisfaction to anyone who participates. Having an ITF-recognised MT700 venue on Thai soil sends a clear signal to international players, agents, and organisers alike: Thailand is a serious and credible participant in the global tennis calendar.
For those interested in experiencing award-winning, world-class tennis facilities in Thailand, reservations for accommodation or court bookings can be made by clicking here or by sending us an email at relax@royalcliff.com. You can also get in touch with us at 038 250 421 or chat with us directly via LINE (@royalcliff) or WhatsApp (+66842289596) to secure your booking. Indulge in a destination where international players choose to compete not merely for ranking points, but for the outstanding quality of the experience itself.
