Tennis: Court rules Davis Cup tie should be played at Nokia

Judge: The ITA and ITC should have compromised, but failed to do so.

By ALLON SINAI
dudi sela artistic 248.88a (photo credit: )
dudi sela artistic 248.88a
(photo credit: )
Israel's Davis Cup quarterfinal tie against Russia in July will be played at the Nokia Arena after the Tel Aviv District Court ruled in favor of the Israel Tennis Association (ITA) on Monday. The Israel Tennis Center (ITC) had turned to court on Friday, hoping to force the ITA to change its decision to play the matches at the Nokia Arena instead of the Canada Stadium in Ramat Hasharon, which traditionally hosts Davis Cup and Fed Cup ties. However, after the sides failed to reach a compromise as Judge Yehuda Fargo suggested, he ruled that the ITA's decision from Friday will stand and the tie will be played at the Nokia Arena. "The ITA and ITC should have compromised, but failed to do so," Fargo said. "The stadium at Ramat Hasharon doesn't fit the requirements for such a world class event and therefore it is better off to play at Nokia." The ITC was obviously not pleased with the ruling. "I think this is the wrong decision," ITC CEO Janine Strauss said. "It was important for the players to play at Ramat Hasharon."