ITF Considering Making Changes at Hopman Cup 2013

Written by: Staff on 27th December 2011

ITF Considering Making Changes at Hopman Cup 2013 |

Paul McNamee has been an integral part of the Hopman Cup ever since he and fellow Australians Pat Cash and Charlie Fancutt first discussed the idea of a world mixed teams championship back in December, 1984. But the traditional season opening tournament that begins again in Perth on New Year’s Eve could be the 57 year-old’s last as tournament director.

The International Tennis Federation, which has owned the rights of the competition since 2002, confirmed that the event’s management structure is being looked at for 2013 and McNamee’s role is currently said to be ‘under review’.

With action set to begin for the last time at the Burswood Dome and the tournament’s new home for 2013 onwards designated as the yet to be completed 12,000-seat Perth Arena, the ITF appear to be considering change.

An ITF spokesman said: ”Paul is the tournament director for 2012. With the move to the new arena in 2013, both the ITF and Hopman Cup boards have felt this would be an opportune moment to review the management structure.”

One reason for this could be the onus on the ITF to pay fines set at $380,000 because leading women players such as world no.1 Caroline Wozniacki, French Open champion Li Na and Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova are playing the Hopman Cup rather than the Brisbane International which runs concurrently after beginning on January 1 and has been upgraded to WTA Premier status.

Brisbane prize money has been increased from $223,000 to $660,000, meaning unlimited access to players in the women’s top 10. Waivers previously granted for marquee names to compete in non-WTA events have been denied, and automatic penalties under the WTA’s code of conduct issued on a sliding scale for seven of the eight women due to compete at the Hopman Cup.

Wozniacki and second ranked Kvitova both face $101,000 sanctions based on their top-three status, while Li Na faces $76,000. Players with sub-50 rankings are exempt.

The ITF spokesman added: “There is an agreement in place between the ITF and WTA with regard to the Hopman Cup, which is in full compliance with the WTA rules in relation to non-Tour events.”

Topics: Hopman Cup