Bologna, Nov 23 (LatestNewsX) – The International Tennis Federation (ITF) president David Haggerty came out strongly against allegations that the top players are abandoning the Davis Cup, even though the latest finals in Bologna are missing high‑profile names like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
“There’s this false feeling out there that top players don’t represent their nation. That’s not true,” Haggerty told reporters on Sunday before the Italy–Spain showdown.
Despite the latest edition of the famed international team event losing a few marquee names, Haggerty emphasized that elite competitors remain engaged with the tournament.
“Some of those top players that played in the qualifier round or the second qualifier round didn’t make it to the finals. And so we had many top players that have played,” he said, pointing out that early‑round participation is often overlooked when judging a player’s commitment.
“And while Jannik and Carlos would be nice to have here, their teams are competing with the spirit of the strength that they provide to their teammates,” he added.
The drop‑outs of the sport’s top two athletes have inevitably dominated the build‑up to the final. Spain’s Alcaraz withdrew on Tuesday after an injury, while Italy’s Sinner had stepped aside weeks earlier to rest and focus on the 2026 season.
Italian fans were dealt another let‑down when world No. 8 Lorenzo Musetti pulled out after his ATP Finals exit, citing both his physical condition and the imminent birth of his second child as reasons for missing the home tie.
Still, the Davis Cup featured many leading names. American Taylor Fritz, Australian Alex de Minaur, Denmark’s Holger Rune and Norway’s Casper Ruud – all ranked inside the ATP top 20 – took part in the early rounds, although none managed to steer their countries to Bologna.
Despite the absence of its brightest stars this Sunday, the ITF chief remains convinced that the Davis Cup continues to embody national pride, competitive grit and the camaraderie that has defined the event for more than a century.
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