PH Davis Cup team disappointed with ITF suspension of PHILTA

Davis Cup tennis competitions around the world have resumed but sadly, the Philippines won’t be one of the teams competing.

This is due to the ongoing suspension of the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA). This also bars the country from competing in international team competitions.

National team members Treat Huey and Ruben Gonzales were disappointed and frustrated with the tennis situation in the country.

“It is embarrassing that the Federation has been suspended and we are not able to play Davis Cup this week. It’s heartbreaking that I don’t have the opportunity to represent the country this week and help us win and earn promotion to group II. To have the team withdrawn from Davis Cup this year by the ITF because of the state of our tennis Federation is truly sad.” Treat Huey said.

“Playing Davis Cup and representing my country has honestly been the biggest honor of my career! And I’m looking forward to playing Davis cup again whenever that will be!” Ruben Gonzales said.

“I’m really sad that we are banned from playing Davis Cup. A few friends of mine that are playing the tie in Jordan have messaged me asking why we are not playing and I just told them what happened and how we got banned by the ITF. I wish all the teams there good luck and I hope they stay safe during the tie.” Nino Alcantara said.

The suspension comes after PHILTA’s continuous snubbing of deadlines from ITF to submit reportorial requirements which should include plans for amending the constitution to increase memberships and make the association more inclusive.

ITF President David Haggerty noted that the association is made up of an “exclusive membership base” which does not qualify PHILTA to be a national sporting federation. The events that transpired also prompted Haggerty to ask from PHILTA their plan of action in diversifying its membership so that an election may take place. Haggerty also noted that NSAs must comprise of regional representatives of sports organizations and should be presided over by sporting clubs.

The Philippine Davis Cup Team was supposed to be competing in Asia-Oceania Group 3 from September 15-18 with the likes of Hong Kong, Kuwait, Jordan, Malaysia, Pacific-Oceania, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Syria and Vietnam and was aiming to move back to Group 2.