20-time grand slam champion Roger Federer has admitted that there is a chance that he may not play in the Davis Cup again before he retires from the sport.

The former world No.1 hasn’t played in the team competition since 2015. This year the event has undergone a major revamp with the help of financial backing from investment company Kosmos. In November 18 teams will travel to Madrid and play in a week-long round-robin format. Removing the tradition of home and away ties. Both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have confirmed they will be playing in the event.

One of the most notable absentees from the event will be Federer as Switzerland hasn’t qualified for the finals. However, the 38-year-old has in the past voiced his concerns over Gerald Pique’s involvement. Pique is the founder of Kosmos.

“I put in a lot of energy into the Davis Cup over the years.” Federer told reporters in Shanghai.
“I played a lot of matches. It’s been a lot of work. Winning (the title) in 2014 was a dream come true for Stan and me and the team, and Rosset, even though he was not on the team, he thought it was the greatest thing ever, and it was.”

Federer has represented his country in 27 Davis ties during his career and has won 52 out of 70 matches played. He has won more matches in the competition than any other player from his country. Whilst boasting a strong record, Federer admits that he is uncertain about playing in the event again.

“I have not officially retired from the Davis Cup, so that means I don’t know what to tell you, maybe, but obviously more likely no than yes, as I’m getting older and I have other things I would like to also do and go to places I have never played before.” Federer replied when asked about his future in the Davis Cup.
“It’s one thing and then having the four children and the wife is another. I just can’t be everywhere. I always said when you play the Davis Cup you have to miss out on Masters 1000. Is that worth the give? Not always. Not for me anyway.”

In recent years Federer has applied his focus to another team event – the Laver Cup, which he co-founded. From 2020 there will be three team tournaments taking place on the men’s tour every year due to the revival in the ATP Cup in January.

“Federer was the only player reluctant to play this new Davis Cup.” Pique told Spanish TV programme e ’El Hormiguero’.
“He has the Laver Cup too and, whatever you say, there is bound to be some competition.
“It is not easy. We are there working and I think that in the end we will understand each other.”

The Davis Cup finals will get underway on November 18th at the Caja Magica, which is the venue of the Madrid Open. Meanwhile, at the same time Federer will be going on a tour of South America where he will play a series of exhibition matches. Alexander Zverev and Juan Martin del Potro will join him on parts of the tour.

The International Tennis Federation will be under the control of David Haggerty for at least the next four years after he secured a resounding win in the presidential election on Friday.

Haggerty, who has been the head of the organisation since 2015, was reappointed after winning 60.5% of votes during the first round of voting in Lisbon, Portugal. Under ITF rules, candidates need to secure a minimum of 50% in order to be appointed president. The details of which countries voted for or against Haggerty are anonymous. Although both the UK and America have confirmed their support. Two of the five countries that have 12 votes each.

The American faced opposition from three other candidates. One of which was Ireland’s Dave Miley, who has been a vocal critic of Haggerty’s reign. He has previously outlined his campaign during an interview with Ubitennis. Miley managed to get just 46 votes (10.8%) and finished in third position. Ahead of him was India’s Anil Khanna (93 votes). Meanwhile, Czech Republic’s Ivo Kaderka was the worst performing of the candidates with only 7% support.

“I appreciate your support,” Haggerty said following the results.
“I would also like to congratulate Anil, Ivo and David for their hard work in the election.
“Thank you very much.”

During his first tenure as ITF president, Haggerty has been the driving force behind the revamp of the Davis Cup. This November will be the first time in history where the finals will feature 18 teams playing over a week in a round-robin format. Similar to that of the football world cup. Similar changes are set to be made to the Fed Cup next year. Unlike the Davis Cup, the Fed Cup changes will be made without an official ITF vote taking place.

There has also been controversy with the implementation and subsequent removal of the ITF Transition Tour. A petition was launched by players over the tour after many complained that they were worse off. The tour saw the introduction of a separate ranking system and a reduction in the number of places for qualifying events. Both of which have now been scrapped.

In his 2019 manifesto, Haggerty has pledged to review the governance of the organisation. An issue that has also been previously raised by one of his backers, the British Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). He has also pledged to increase worldwide development funding by 50% per year. Raising the amount from $12 million to $18 million.

Haggerty will remain in his role until at least 2023.

The president of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has received a big boost ahead of his election on Friday after the governing body of British tennis endorsed him for a second term.

David Haggerty is facing opposition from three other candidates as he bid to keep hold of his current position, which he has held since September 2015. The American has managed to help boost the financial side of the organisation during his tenure. However, he has been criticised for a series of controversies.

Haggerty was one of the key people behind the revamp of the Davis Cup, which has split opinion in the sport. Critics have said that the changes are too radical and kills the tradition of the 119-year-old competition. From this year 18 teams will compete in a week-long final held in a neutral location. The key backers of the changes are investment company Kosmos, which was founded by Gerald Pique. Another controversy was the implementation and subsequent removal of the ITF transition Tour within a year following mass protest by players who said they were worse off.

“We are deeply concerned about the governance of the sport, the role of the ITF in that and a number of recent decisions.” The LTA said in a statement published by metro.co.uk.
“The LTA Board had lengthy discussions about the forthcoming ITF Presidential vote and we do not believe that now is the right time for a radical change in regime.
“We will, however be holding whichever candidate becomes President of the ITF to account on a number of areas.”

The support from the British contingent is one that some find baffling. Given the fact they have voiced concerns about the governance of the ITF and still backs its leader. They were also one of the most notable tennis bodies to not back changes to the Davis Cup in a key ITF vote.

How the LTA votes on Friday is crucial for all candidates. They are one of the five nations that has a total of 12 votes allocated to them. Along with America, Australia, France and Germany. It is expected the America will also back Haggerty given that he is from the country.

The biggest threat to Haggerty’s reign is Ireland’s Dave Miley. Whose presidential campaign has reportedly seen him to visit 70 countries. Miley was a vocal critic of the Transition Tour and reform of the ITF.

“I believe tennis is very fragmented at the moment and is not very healthy. The ITF has a perception that it is quite weak and I want to change that.” Miley said during the launch of his candidacy earlier this year.
“My manifesto is underpinned by two things. What’s good for tennis and what is good for the nations of the ITF.”

The 2019 ITF presidential election will take place on Friday. Also entered in the race is Anil Khanna (India) Ivo Kaderka (Czech Republic). Candidates require more than 50% of the vote to be elected.