Australia pulls out of Davis cup tie in Chennai citing security reasons

Davis Cup completely safe in India: Chidambaram
25 Apr 2009, 1611 hrs IST, PTI
NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday assured that the

Davis Cup tie between Australia and India in Chennai will be "comple
tely safe" while also promising a fool-proof security for the May 8-10 event.

Reacting to Australia's withdrawal from the Asia-Oceania Group I tie, citing security concerns and describing India as "area of high risk", the Home Ministry issued a statement, making it clear that Davis Cup was a small affair to be safely conducted in India during election time.

"Davis Cup is one match, one visiting team, one venue, one small stadium, three days. India and the event are completely safe. Fool-proof security can and will be provided," a Home Ministry release quoted Chidambaram as saying.

Australian Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald denounced the ITF decision to reject Tennis Australia's plea to shift the match and go ahead with it in India, pointing out the Indian Premier League Twenty20 cricket tournament was not moved to South Africa for no reason.

"It is just irresponsible. Surely some thought must be given to the players' safety. I believe they (ITF) say the election is not a cause for concern, the IPL moving is not relevant and that an ATP tournament held in January shows it is safe to play in Chennai... Did the IPL move for no reason? This decision makes no sense," Fitzgerald said in a statement.

Tennis Australia President Geoff Pollard said in a statement "We asked for the tie to be moved because we have major security concerns for the players, particularly during the (Indian) election. It would be irresponsible of us to send our players into an area of such high risk."

Indian tennis fraternity flays Australia's pull out

New Delhi (PTI) "Shameful", "unfortunate" and "disappointing" was how the Indian tennis fraternity today on Saturday termed Australia's decision to pull out from next month's Davis cup tie in Chennai, allowing the host to advance to the World Group without contest.

India's non-playing captain SP Misra felt India had a good chance of winning the tie this time and it was unfortunate that they have moved to the world group without playing.

"We were getting ready for the tie and were sure of hosting Australian players. Even if not the best, at least they would have send some players. I don't know what they have in their mind but I feel we had a good chance to win this time," Mr. Misra told PTI.

"We were preparaing to assemble in Chennai on May 3. It is quite disappointing for us," he added.

Tennis Australia on Saturday pulled out of the next month's Davis Cup tie against India, citing security concerns after the ITF rejected their plea to shift the Asia-Oceania Group I tie from Chennai.

"Now we go to the next round and unfortunately we have advanced without playing but now this gives us time to prepare for the play off. Last time we had gone to Romania and lets see what draw we get this time, hopefully we will get a favourable draw," Mr. Misra said.

MELBOURNE: Australia will not send its Davis Cup team to India for next month's tie

TA had appealed the International Tennis Federation's (ITF) decision to keep the May 8-10 Asia/Oceania group I tie in Chennai, citing security concerns.

The ITF on Friday, however, rejected the appeal and upheld the decision of the Davis Cup committee to keep the tie in the southern Indian city, which is considered by Indian authorities to be a safe destination.

The ITF had based its original decision to keep the tie in India after a review by its security consultants.

"The ITF decision has left us with no other option," Tennis Australia president Geoff Pollard said in a statement.

"We cannot send the team. It is extremely disappointing.

"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."

Security in the sub-continent has been called into question following the ambush of the Sri Lanka cricket team's bus in Lahore, Pakistan, last month.

The incident triggered concern that sport could become a target for more attacks in south Asia. India also remains nervous after Islamist militants killed more than 150 people in a three-day attack in Mumbai in November.

The Indian cricket board moved the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 league to South Africa after the government said providing security would be a problem due to clash of dates with the general election.

Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald said he was angry with the ITF's decision and pointed to events surrounding the election that suggested security forces were being stretched.

"It is just irresponsible. Surely some thought must be given to the players' safety," Fitzgerald said.

"I believe they say the election is not a cause for concern, the IPL moving is not relevant and that an ATP tournament 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? Did the IPL move for no reason?

"This decision makes no sense. We have worked so hard to get back in to World Group contention, to have it snatched away like this is gut wrenching."

Under Davis Cup rules, TA now could be banned from the competition for 12 months and face a substantial fine.

Three weeks ago the ITF banned the city of Malmo from hosting future Davis Cup ties for five years and fined Swedish tennis officials $25,000 after the host nation decided to stage the World Group tie against Israel behind closed doors.