Paes hits out at Aussies for skipping Davis Cup tie

Updated on: 26 April,2009 07:16 AM IST |
Ashwin Ferro | ashwin.ferro@mid-day.com

Tennis Australia's refusal to send its team to Chennai for the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania play-off tie against India (May 8-10) has left tennis ace Leander Paes utterly disappointed

Tennis Australia's refusal to send its team to Chennai for the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania play-off tie against India (May 8-10) has left tennis ace Leander Paes utterly disappointed.

TA's decision came immediately after the International Tennis Federation rejected their appeal to shift the tie out of India citing security reasons.

"It is extremely disappointing that Australia has decided not to come to Chennai because the ITF have examined the facilities and declared the tie safe as far as security is concerned." Paes told Sunday MiD DAY on Saturday from Barcelona.

No wonder India's most capped Davis Cupper reacted sharply to the fact that the Australians were still concerned about security despite assurances from the hosts that the venue was under no terror threat whatsoever.

"The safe conduct of the Chennai Open this January and the assurances of the Tamil Nadu government should have been guarantee enough. It's very unfortunate that Australia has taken this extreme step," added the former India skipper.

Former World No 1 Lleyton Hewitt would have been one of the star attractions of the three-day tie. However, the visitors' withdrawal comes as a huge setback to the All-India Tennis Association, Tamil Nadu Tennis Association and the country's tennis aficionados alike.

Tennis Australia might incur the wrath of the ITF in the form of a one-year suspension for their move.

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