ITF chief Haggerty excited as new Davis Cup looms

LONDON: In the past year International Tennis Federation president David Haggerty has been booed by fans at the Davis Cup final and lambasted over structural changes to the lower rungs of the professional ladder.

It remains to be seen whether the new format - 18 nations playing off in Madrid's La Caja Magica over eight days - will strike a chord with fans and players alike.But Haggerty says there was no option but to make radical changes if the 119-year-old team competition was to survive. "I'm very excited about it," Haggerty said of the event that will see nations split into six groups with eight going into knockout phase."It's going to be a great week of tennis whether you are in Madrid watching your team or watching a broadcast."Haggerty believes the Davis Cup has found a happy medium, retaining an element of the much-loved home-away format.

The ITF's women's team competition, the Fed Cup, will move to a similar format in Budapest next year - offering the same prize money as the Davis Cup.

Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Thai football team is his ‘best choice’, provides opportunities for him to succeed, says NS defaulter Ben DavisSINGAPORE — Fulham footballer Ben Davis said playing for Thailand’s national South-east Asian (SEA) Games football squad is the “best choice” for him.
Source: TODAYonline - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »

Ben Davis: Thailand is best for me, it has a bright future and a chance to succeedSINGAPORE — Former Singapore Under-19 national footballer and NS defaulter Ben Davis has broken his silence on his decision to represent Thailand.
Source: YahooSG - 🏆 3. / 71 Read more »

Hopman Cup to return in 2021, says ITF presidentThe mixed-gender Hopman Cup team competition is set to return in 2021 after losing its traditional place on the tennis calendar next year, ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Exclusive: Hopman Cup set to return in 2021 - ITF PresidentThe mixed-gender Hopman Cup team competition is set to return in 2021 after losing its traditional place on the tennis calendar next year, ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Thyssenkrupp CEO announces sweeping job cutsThyssenkrupp will make sweeping job cuts and give an update on the new company structure in November, the company's new Chief Executive Martina ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Rugby: England v France, New Zealand v Italy World Cup games cancelled over typhoonRugby World Cup organisers are expected to announce on Thursday that England's game against France on Saturday has been cancelled and that ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »