Friday, December 13, 2024
spot_img

AITA leaves out Bhupathi-Bopanna

Date:

Share post:

spot_img
spot_img

New Delhi: Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna paid the price for their rebellious act ahead of the London Olympics as the AITA dropped the duo on Saturday from the Davis Cup team and instead chose youngsters for the next month’s tie against New Zealand.

Leander Paes and singles exponent Somdev Devvarman were not considered after they made themselves unavailable for the tie, scheduled for September 14-16 in Chandigarh.

Sending out a strong message that indiscipline will not be tolerated, the All India Tennis Association took the brave decision to leave out the senior pros and take a step forward in preparing the team for the future.

It will be a new-look Indian team comprising Yuki Bhambri, Vishnu Vardhan, Saketh Myneni, Divij Sharan, Sanam Singh and N Sriram Balaji competing in the tie.

The squad will be pruned to four before September 2, when the ITF will be notified of the team.

While Paes wants to play in the World Team Tennis competition in Charleston, USA, Somdev is still not fit enough for the Davis Cup tie, although he will play in the US Open.

“As per the Executive Committee meeting on July 1, we got the direction that there should be a code of conduct for the players who refuse to play (as selected by AITA). We had this selection problems before the Olympics, so Rohan Bopanna and Mahesh Bhupathi were not considered,” Bharat Oza, AITA Secretary General said.

Talking about Somdev and Paes, Oza said both of them had requested to be excused for the tie. “Somdev has come out of injury. He has informed that he will not be available. Although he will play in the US Open due to ranking commitments, he is not confident about his fitness.

“Similarly Paes had expressed unavailability as he had strenuous Olympics and Grand Slam ahead. He said, ‘it may be a bit difficult to come out of commitment (of playing in WTT) as it is an important match, a final’,” Oza added. (PTI)

spot_img
spot_img

Related articles

Mamata Banerjee slams Union Cabinet over One Nation, One Election Bill

Kolkata, Dec 12: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday slammed the Union Cabinet for clearing the...

PM Modi to launch Rs 7,000 crore projects in Prayagraj; inspect development work for Mahakumbh Mela

New Delhi, Dec 12" Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to visit Prayagraj on Friday to inspect...

Historic and exemplary, says PM Modi on Gukesh becoming youngest world chess champion

New Delhi, Dec 12: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has termed Gukesh D. becoming the youngest world chess...

India’s maritime history was neglected for decades: Sarbananda Sonowal

New Delhi, Dec 12: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday said that India's maritime history was neglected for...