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ITF in defence of Moscow desicion for Fed Cup final
Houston, Nov 16: Under attack and boycotted by top players, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) defended its decision on stage next week`s Fed Cup final in Moscow.
Houston, Nov 16: Under attack and boycotted by top players, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) defended its decision on stage next week's Fed Cup final in Moscow.
Ever since the Russian capital was chosen over Belgium in August as site of the Fed Cup climax, the ITF has fended off criticism while trying to drum up interest in a competition that will be without the sport's top names.
Last week, semi-finalists France said the decision to hold the Fed Cup in Russia was an ill-conceived blunder while many of the sport's top names declined invitations to the competition.
Belgium's top-ranked Justine Henin-Hardenne and world number two Kim Clijsters have pulled out and their semi-final opponents, the United States, will be without the Williams sisters Venus and Serena, Lindsay Davenport and Jennifer Capriati.
''We value a lot the players participation but that participation should not depend on where the players want to play,'' ITF president Francesco Ricci Bitti told reporters during a break in action at the ATP Masters Cup.
''Tennis is a sport and a business and we have to do what is in the best interest of the sport.
''I regret the Williams sisters are not able to attend and that Kim (Clijsters) and Justine (Henin-Hardenne) played only in the first part.
''We regret this but the competition has its own value.''
Shortly after Moscow was picked ahead of Belgium, Clijsters hinted she would not participate and later withdrew from the competition. While disappointed, Ricci Bitti refused to condemn Clijsters for her decision, saying only that Belgian was ''ill advised''.
Ricci Bitti also said he found it hard to understand all the criticism, pointing out that tennis was very popular in Russia and that Moscow was a regular stop on both the ATP and WTA circuits.
Russia, the current Davis Cup holders, successfully staged the Davis Cup final in 1995 and Fed Cup events have always been well attended.
While Anastasia Myskina, Elena Dementieva, Nadia Petrova and Vera Zvonareva may not yet be big names outside of their own country, all four are ranked in the top 13.
The tennis chief, however, did concede that Fed Cup was in dire need of an overhaul and starting in 2005 would use the same format that has made the Davis Cup a huge success.
''The Fed Cup must close the gap on the Davis Cup but we have a model that we believe will be successful,'' Ricci Bitti said Friday.
''The Fed Cup is a little behind but we are working hard to change that.
''Players must realise they get so much from tennis that they must give something back.
''We believe team competition is not played for money only.''
The Russians face France and Belgium take on the Americans in the semi-finals starting on Wednesday. The final is on November 22-23 at the same venue.
Bureau Report
Ever since the Russian capital was chosen over Belgium in August as site of the Fed Cup climax, the ITF has fended off criticism while trying to drum up interest in a competition that will be without the sport's top names.
Last week, semi-finalists France said the decision to hold the Fed Cup in Russia was an ill-conceived blunder while many of the sport's top names declined invitations to the competition.
Belgium's top-ranked Justine Henin-Hardenne and world number two Kim Clijsters have pulled out and their semi-final opponents, the United States, will be without the Williams sisters Venus and Serena, Lindsay Davenport and Jennifer Capriati.
''We value a lot the players participation but that participation should not depend on where the players want to play,'' ITF president Francesco Ricci Bitti told reporters during a break in action at the ATP Masters Cup.
''Tennis is a sport and a business and we have to do what is in the best interest of the sport.
''I regret the Williams sisters are not able to attend and that Kim (Clijsters) and Justine (Henin-Hardenne) played only in the first part.
''We regret this but the competition has its own value.''
Shortly after Moscow was picked ahead of Belgium, Clijsters hinted she would not participate and later withdrew from the competition. While disappointed, Ricci Bitti refused to condemn Clijsters for her decision, saying only that Belgian was ''ill advised''.
Ricci Bitti also said he found it hard to understand all the criticism, pointing out that tennis was very popular in Russia and that Moscow was a regular stop on both the ATP and WTA circuits.
Russia, the current Davis Cup holders, successfully staged the Davis Cup final in 1995 and Fed Cup events have always been well attended.
While Anastasia Myskina, Elena Dementieva, Nadia Petrova and Vera Zvonareva may not yet be big names outside of their own country, all four are ranked in the top 13.
The tennis chief, however, did concede that Fed Cup was in dire need of an overhaul and starting in 2005 would use the same format that has made the Davis Cup a huge success.
''The Fed Cup must close the gap on the Davis Cup but we have a model that we believe will be successful,'' Ricci Bitti said Friday.
''The Fed Cup is a little behind but we are working hard to change that.
''Players must realise they get so much from tennis that they must give something back.
''We believe team competition is not played for money only.''
The Russians face France and Belgium take on the Americans in the semi-finals starting on Wednesday. The final is on November 22-23 at the same venue.
Bureau Report