American David Haggerty elected to head world tennis body

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) American David Haggerty has been elected to a four-year term as the president of the International Tennis Federation.

Haggerty was elected Friday by the ITF - best known for running the Davis Cup and the women's Fed Cup - and replaces Francesco Ricci Bitti of Italy who held the post for 16 years.

''It is a privilege and an honor to be elected President of the ITF. Tennis is the common language that binds all our member nations. It is important that we continue to listen to each other and work together to keep the ITF strong.''

''I want to thank Francesco, who has done so much for the ITF over the last 16 years, for his leadership and friendship,'' Haggerty said following his election.

Outgoing Bitti gave his approval following the result.

''I would like to congratulate David Haggerty on his election as ITF president and wish him all the best for the future,'' Ricci Bitti said in a statement from the ITF. ''I am confident that under David's leadership, the organization can continue to grow with the support of the ITF staff and our 210 member nations.''

Haggerty received 200 votes to 192 for Anil Khanna of India. Juan Margets of Spain and Rene Stambach of Switzerland were eliminated in the first round of voting at the meetings in the Chilean capital.