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Tennis Industry Hall of Fame: Honor Society

With vast experience and key achievements throughout his career in the sport, ITF President David Haggerty joins the Tennis Industry Hall of Fame.

By Peter Francesconi

David Haggerty’s decades of tennis experience have brought him in contact with nearly all segments of this industry.

“I’ve been fortunate to have seen tennis from just about every vantage point,” says the current president of the International Tennis Federation.

Haggerty played internationally as a junior, then received a tennis scholarship to play for George Washington University. He competed in the pros before transitioning to the business side of the sport, where he worked for equipment manufacturers, engaging closely with retailers, teaching pros and facilities. Throughout it all, he volunteered ceaselessly at the grassroots, sectional and national levels.

In 2010, Haggerty retired from business to devote himself full-time to tennis as a volunteer, serving as vice president on the USTA Board of Directors before becoming USTA chairman and president in 2013. The position allowed him to develop relationships with the pro tours, Grand Slams and players. In September 2015, he was elected president of the ITF, tennis’ world governing body.

“Dave continues to build on a successful leadership career in tennis, and continues to bring positive change to this sport,” says Tennis Industry Association President Jeff Williams.

Haggerty will be inducted into the Tennis Industry Hall of Fame on Aug. 28, during the TIA Tennis Forum, held at the Intercontinental Barclay Hotel in New York City. (Visit TennisIndustry.org for more information or to register for the Forum, which is free to attend.) He will be in good company, joining past inductees including Howard Head, Dennis Van der Meer, Alan Schwartz, Billie Jean King, Nick Bollettieri, Jim Baugh, Peter Burwash, Eve Kraft and Gene Scott.

“What I find most gratifying is leading change and taking on big challenges — they energize and excite me,” Haggerty says.

Haggerty joined Prince Sports Group in 1980, eventually becoming general manager and an owner of the company. He then became president of Dunlop Sports, in 1994, then in 1998 joined Head/Penn, eventually becoming chairman, CEO and president. Haggerty was also the TIA president from 2006 to 2008.

“Dave is a calm and steady force in the industry and has been instrumental in the TIA’s direction and development,” says TIA Executive Director Jolyn de Boer. “I feel fortunate I had the opportunity to work directly with him when he was president, and admire his ongoing engagement and accessibility.”

Haggerty has a number of goals he continues to pursue. He is leading the ITF board to work to ensure significant increases in development spending to grow tennis around the world, along with making changes to improve the Davis Cup and Fed Cup formats. And he wants organizations in tennis to work together more frequently.

“Too often, I see ‘tennis’ act unilaterally, doing what each body thinks is best for them without thinking about what is best for the sport, the fans and the industries that support tennis,” Haggerty says. “I believe in collaboration — partnerships and communication can go a long way to helping tennis have a sustainable future.”

See all articles by Peter Francesconi

About the Author

Peter Francesconi is editorial director of Tennis Industry magazine.

From the September 2017 issue
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