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NEWPORT, R.I. — They’ve collected gold medals, silver plates, crystal goblets, and the most coveted trophies in tennis, and now, an elite group of tennis players and contributors will be able to add a unique and valuable new piece to their awards. The International Tennis Hall of Fame will be presenting Hall of Famers with a commemorative ring to mark their achievement of Hall of Fame induction.

With the kind support of the ATP World Tour and the WTA, the International Tennis Hall of Fame will make ring presentations to Hall of Famers at tournaments and other tennis events around the world over the next several years.

The rings have been generously underwritten by The Bruce T. Halle Family of Scottsdale, Arizona. Bruce, founder of Discount Tire, and his wife Diane, a philanthropist, are tennis enthusiasts and they have generously supported communities in the areas where Discount Tire is located, and beyond, over many years. In addition to their support for the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum, they assist the Halle Heart Children’s Museum, Diane Halle Center for Family Justice, Childhelp USA, Barrows Neurological Institute, the New Directions Institute for Brain Development, Teach for America, TGen, Habitat for Humanity, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, the Center for the Future of Arizona and the Halle Pavilion in the Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare.

“Induction to the International Tennis Hall of Fame is the highest honor that a tennis player can receive. We are pleased to be able to recognize this achievement with this special ring, which only the best tennis players and contributors in the world will have the honor of wearing,” said Christopher E. Clouser, chairman of the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum. “We would like to thank the Halle Family for showing their love for the game by making this program possible. In addition, we are grateful to our partners at the ATP World Tour and WTA, who will incorporate these ring presentations as a part of tennis tournaments around the world. The presentations will be a great chance to honor the legends and will also be a special experience for the fans to enjoy.”

The first ring in the series was presented during the annual induction weekend this past July to Class of 1970 Hall of Famer Tony Trabert, as President of the International Tennis Hall of Fame and in honor of his 80th birthday. The rings will be presented to Hall of Famers who have already been inducted over the next several years. Presently, there are 84 Hall of Famers living in 16 different countries, a testament to the global reach of the game. A schedule of ring presentations will be posted on tennisfame.com as they are confirmed.

The personalized rings will bear a green stone set in gold, to complement the Hall of Fame’s brand colors. In addition, the rings will be etched with honorees’ name and the Hall of Fame logo crest.

Hall of Fame President and 1970 inductee Tony Trabert, was the first Hall of Famer to be presented with a ring. Trabert is shown above with Peggy Woolard, a member of the ITHF Board of Directors and Executive Committee, after his ring presentation in July.

Rendering of the Commemorative Rings that will be presented to Hall of Famers.

Located in Newport, Rhode Island, the International Tennis Hall of Fame has inducted 219 individuals from 18 different countries since 1955. The Hall of Fame offers an extensive museum that chronicles the history of the sport and honors the game’s greatest legends, historic grass tennis courts that date back to 1880 and are open to the public, an ATP World Tour tournament and the annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in July, and numerous public events year-round. To learn more, visit tennisfame.com.