ITF halts international tennis in Israel and Ukraine

The International Tennis Federation has upheld the decision to move a Davis Cup match out of Israel for security reasons and accepted a separate appeal to take another match out of Ukraine.

The ITF board of directors rejected an appeal by the Israel Tennis Association against last week's ruling to move the Sept. 12-14 World Group playoff against Argentina to a neutral venue because of the conflict in Gaza. The match had been scheduled to be played in Tel Aviv.

The ITF says Israel has until Thursday to nominate a venue in another country.

The board also upheld an appeal by Belgium against the decision to play its World Group playoff against Ukraine in Kiev.

The ITF cites the "fluid" security situation in Ukraine.

Ukraine can nominate a neutral venue.