Australia will appeal tomorrow against the International Tennis Federation's decision to okay Chennai as the host city for next month's Davis Cup tie against India.
Australia will appeal tomorrow against the International Tennis Federation's decision to okay Chennai as the host city for next month's Davis Cup tie against India.
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Unhappy with ITF's decision on Friday, Tennis Australia wants the tie to shift from India, which they think is not a safe to visit.
Taking a cue from shifting of Indian Premier League to South Africa, Tennis Australia is still hoping that the tie can be shifted to a neutral venue.
"TA will lodge an appeal on Monday and expects a final decision to be made within a week," according to a report by the Australian Associated Press (AAP).
"Tennis Australia says it remains hopeful of having the tie moved to a neutral venue, just as the IPL cricket tournament was shifted to South Africa, because the playoff is taking place during the Indian elections when security services are already stretched," it added.
The ITF had earlier rejected Australia's plea to shift the tie after getting a positive report from its security consultant.
The third round Asia-Oceania Group I encounter is scheduled from May 8-10. "Australian spearhead Lleyton Hewitt is awaiting the result of the appeal before making a decision on his availability for the tie," the report added.
"We talked about it yesterday and we're waiting to see what TA's result is, but I don't think he's ready to make any comments," Hewitt's manager David Drysdale was quoted as saying.
"We should hear something in the next 48 hours and I think, like all players, he'll make a decision then - if a decision needs to be made," he added.
All India Tennis Association secretary general Anil Khanna had yesterday indicated that Australia may field a second string team for the tie but showed willingness to host any team.