Dietloff von Arnim (Düsseldorf, 1959) He is the president of the German Tennis Federation and will be the rival of the current president David Haggertyin the elections to the International Tennis Federation (ITF), which will be held this coming September 24 in Cancún (Mexico). Lawyer and tennis player, after having previously been a ball boy, Von Arnim attends to MARCA to explain his project and the need to take a radical turn in politics in the world of tennis.
The tennis world is divided as seen with the latest incident following Stan Wawrinka’s harsh criticism of Piqué, later supported by other players on the circuit in their networks, due to the low attendance last Tuesday at the O2 Arena in Manchester where the Davis Cup was being played. The German leader addresses this problem and shares the opinion of these players about Davis’ problems.
QUESTION: Could you summarize your profile in a few words?
ANSWER: I am currently President of the German Tennis Federation (DTB), a position I assumed in 2021, and Vice President of Tennis Europe (also since 2021). I have been President of the Düsseldorf Local Tennis Federation for more than 20 years. I have always liked tennis and have been playing since I was 10 years old.
Q. If I were a member of the ITF assembly, why should I support the proposal you are leading?
A. The answer is simple. It’s time to change, it is very necessary.
Q. Over the past 8 years, we have seen ITF officials make one mistake after another, each time more detrimental to world tennis. After 8 years of failures, why do we think anything will change in another 4 years?
A. The ITF did not learn from their fiasco with Kosmos, and now they are making the same mistake with the TWG Global/Billie Jean King Cup announcement. The ITF is relinquishing commercial and format control of a key ITF asset. As with the deal with Kosmos, the partnership was announced without any transparency about the terms of the deal and without any consultation with interested parties.
The agreement with Kosmos has been an absolute failure. The Davis Cup has lost its status and credibility, as has the Billie Jean King Cup
Dietloff Von Arnim
Q. What powers should the ITF have that it does not currently have?
A. Tennis is a fragmented sport with many stakeholders. The ITF must work collaboratively with all tennis stakeholders to drive the future success of the sport. The ITF must be transparent and open in its decision-making, and be the voice of all. It is also important to recognize that tennis competes with other racket sports, with other sports in general, and with broader entertainment. The ITF needs a leader who innovates, modernizes and adapts.
Q. Do you feel like a federation that is the little brother of the ATP and the WTA?
A. The ITF should work collaboratively with the ATP and WTA, along with other tennis stakeholders. There is no doubt that the ITF can do much more to develop and protect these key relationships.
Tennis must always fight for equality and justice, for everyone and for the future of the game
Q. There is a controversy in tennis about whether women should be paid the same as men, what is your opinion?
A. Tennis must always fight for equality and justice, for everyone and for the future of the game.
Q. What future do you see for the Davis Cup after Kosmos’s withdrawal from the project?
A. The agreement with Kosmos has been an absolute failure. The Davis Cup has lost its status and credibility, as has the Billie Jean King Cup. These are two key assets of the ITF that have been ruined by 8 years of mismanagement and suicidal decision making. Immediate change is necessary to restore the status and financial profile of these competitions.
Tennis is for everyone and it’s exciting that it is becoming such a popular sport in emerging markets, we should celebrate it!
Q. Will Spain host the Davis Cup final and Billie Jean King this year? If you win, don’t you think they shouldn’t be held in different countries?
A. Yes, the Davis Cup final will take place in Malaga, Spain. I think tennis should be everywhere: it is a sport for everyone and sport can bring the world closer together.
Q. The strength of the Gulf countries in many sports is undeniable. In tennis, is that strength reduced to tournaments or do you think they will play an important role in the coming years?
A. Tennis is for everyone and it’s exciting that tennis is becoming such a popular sport in emerging markets, we should celebrate it! And the impact is evident: just look at the success of Ons Jabeur, the first Arab woman to reach a Grand Slam final.
Q. Do any rules in tennis need to be changed to make it more attractive?
A. I would like there to be more clarity on the points of the classification. How many points do players need to compete in the Olympic Games? Do players receive points for competing in the Olympics and Davis Cup? There have been many changes in recent years and we need clarity.
Q. Are you in favor of transgender athletes in tennis?
A. I believe in equality and equity for all. Ultimately, the decision must be made by the Medical Commission.
Q. Are tennis players sufficiently identified with the ITF at the moment or do you think a rapprochement is necessary?
A. I believe more can be done to actively collaborate with all tennis stakeholders, including players, to safeguard the future of tennis.
2023-09-14 20:09:06
#Tennis #fragmented #sport
