ITF

4 ITFWORLD WINTER 2015 new era begins at itf agm Santiago, Chile provided the backdrop for an historic ITF assembly as David Haggerty was elected as the new ITF President alongside a new-look ITF Board of Directors. T he 2015 ITF Annual General Meeting saw David Haggerty voted in to succeed Francesco Ricci Bitti as the new ITF President, Ricci Bitti stepping down after 16 years in the role. Haggerty, who will serve a four- year term from 2015 to 2019, is the 19th different President of the ITF, and the fourth American to hold the office. An experienced tennis administrator, he has held various positions within the United States Tennis Association (USTA) since 2001 including serving as Chairman, CEO and President in 2013-14. He has held roles within the ITF since 2009, and was a Vice President on the ITF Board of Directors in 2013-15. Haggerty, 58, is also a former President of the Tennis Industry Association and a current board member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Away from tennis administration, Haggerty had a 30-year career in the racket industry, and is a former Chairman of Head USA, President of Penn Racquet Sports, and President of Dunlop Maxfli Slazenger Sports. Four candidates stood for the ITF presidency, Haggerty being joined by Anil Khanna (IND), Juan Margets (ESP) and Rene Stammbach (SUI). In the vote which took place on 25 September, Haggerty was elected on the second ballot with 200 votes, over Khanna with 192 votes. Stammbach and Margets were eliminated on the first ballot. "It is a privilege and an honour to be elected President of the ITF," said Haggerty after the vote. "Tennis is the common language that binds all our member nations. It is important that we continue to listen to each other and work together to keep the ITF strong. I want to thank Francesco, who has done so much for the ITF over the last 16 years, for his leadership and friendship." ITF AGM New ITF President David Haggerty is congratulated by Francesco Ricci Bitti

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