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4/25/09 11:05 AM | Johan Lindahl
Australia faces unprecedented Davis Cup sanctions including a temporary ban from the competition after refusing to send a team into what it considers the danger zone of Chennai.
The decision by Tennis Australia throws the May 8-10 Asian zonal tie against India into chaos. Australia had proposed moving the tie to neutral Singapore but that plan was rejected by the International Tennis Federation in London.
"We asked for the tie to be moved because we have major security concerns for the players, particularly during the election," said Tennis Australia president Geoff Pollard. "The ITF decision has left us with no other option - we cannot send the team. It is extremely disappointing."
The Indian mega-metropolis was the scene of an Islamic terror attack on luxury hotels and government buildings last November which killed up to 150 people.
"It would be irresponsible of us to send our players into an area of such high risk. Davis Cup is very important to us but some things are more important than tennis," said Pollard.
Added captain John Fitzgerald: "It is just irresponsible. Surely some thought must be given to the players' safety," he said of the ITF decision to proceed. "I believe they say the (Indian) election is not a cause for concern, and that an ATP tournament is held in January shows it is safe to play in Chennai.
"So what about the fact that dozens of people are being killed along the campaign trail of the election? A train was hijacked this week, but that does not alter their thoughts?"
Australia said its team, led by Lleyton Hewitt, is disappointed and is hoping for a change of heart by the IFT.
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Chennai may have been safe. It may not have been. Clearly though there are security concerns in India - enough to move the lucrative IPL offshore. The ITF has just made another stupid decision. That, however, should not be a surprise. When was the last time that the ITF made a sensible decision about anything? I would suggest never.
sukhumvit , 4/25/09 11:31 AM