ITF boss David Haggerty: Hopman Cup could return as early as 2022
In an interview with Around the Rings, ITF boss David Haggerty announced that he is reasonably well advanced with the planning of a possible return of the Hopman Cup in the coming season. However, there is still nothing that can be said for sure.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Aug 01, 2021, 10:16 pm
According to the ITF boss, a specific decision in the form of a statement can be expected within the next two weeks. "We had a great event in Perth for 25 years. We want to revive that because we love it when men and women attend an event together. We're working with a number of companies and we're about to make an announcement," Haggerty told the Around the Rings platform.
Meanwhile, the venue could change, as Haggerty said: "There are a number of options, but most likely it is in Europe." The traditional event has been held in Perth, Australia, since 2012; the team tournament's first task took place in 1989. The last time the Hopman Cup took place in 2019, last year the show fight had to give way to the ATP Cup, but there was no substitute event for the women.
ATP Cup makes it difficult to find an appointment
The ATP Cup as the new preparation tournament for the season opener at the Australian Open is also one of those stakeholders that makes it even more difficult to find a date in the spring, the ITF boss explained: "It's all part of the process we're going through. Every time if you talk about the calendar, it's a difficult conversation because nobody wants anything to change. "
Overall, Haggerty sees the Hopman Cup as an event that has its place in the calendar of the tennis circus, as shown in particular by the attendance figures for the last edition: "The Hopman Cup has always been an opportunity for players to start the year and have three games in theirs first tournament. At the last Hopman Cup we had Roger and Serena who had never played against each other. And we had a full stadium, almost 23,000 people. "
Extension of the tennis competition at the Olympic Games?
And Haggerty also sees the otherwise neglected mixed doubles - with the exception of the Grand Slams - as an argument in favor of the Hopman Cup: "The average tennis player plays more doubles than singles. The social aspect of mixed doubles, men and women, is very useful in our opinion. "
There are also plans to make changes to the Olympic Games; the tennis competition in Paris is to be extended in 2024 to allow players longer breaks. Instead of nine days, there should be an extension to eleven game days. One of the players' wishes, as the ITF boss said: "That seems to be what the players are talking about and what they are asking for, and that is something we really need to consider."