ITF ‘Open’ To Merging ATP Cup With Davis Cup

David Haggerty, President of the International Tennis Federation has said that ITF would have no problem with a decision to merge the Davis Cup with the ATP Cup.

“We are talking to the ATP. We’ve heard the players’ comments, we know that the ATP has as well. It would make sense to have one event that could be the team event for the men,” Haggerty said, according to Reuters.

“The vision to me seems to be having one strong event and we’re very open to that conversation.”

As for a deadline for when this decision could be made, he stated: “Our goal is over the next few months that we have some serious discussions and see if there’s some alignment.

“I’d say by Roland Garros, Wimbledon, yeah, that sort of timing. A lot will depend on what it would look like, but I think that if the parties are open to looking at various possibilities, anything is possible. I’m an optimist by nature.”

Speaking on how he felt the first edition of the new Davis Cup format, Haggerty added: “I think it was a good start. Not perfect, nothing is. I think we have a good foundation upon which to build things that we’re looking at to improve the competition, such as scheduling.”