SuperDuper-Tennis Archive

Saturday, April 25, 2009

April 25 - Breaking News (Tennis.com)

Saturday, April 25, 2009 | Posted by SuperDuper | | Edit Post
Last updated on 4/25/2009
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by Kamakshi Tandon

The TickerFollowing Australia's decision not to contest its Davis Cup tie in Chennai because of security concerns, the ITF has officially declared India the winner of the zonal contest. India now advances to September's World Group playoffs.

"The ITF regrets and respectfully disagrees with the decision of Tennis Australia to default," the ITF said in a statement. "By virtue of its decision not to send a team to compete against India, Australia has forfeited the tie.

"[B]ecause of the specific concerns of Tennis Australia, the ITF [had] asked its independent security consultants, the Olive Group, to make a site visit to Chennai to investigate both the situation on the ground and to assess the security arrangements put in place by AITA [All India Tennis Asociation]. Following the site visit, the Olive Group reported that it was satisfied that the tie could go ahead as planned. Tennis Australia received a copy of the Olive Group report... Following an appeal by Tennis Australia, the ITF Board of Directors voted to uphold the decision of the Davis Cup Committee, after having received complete documentation for review."

"The Davis Cup Committee in due course will decide any sanctions to be assessed against Australia."

The TickerAustralia will not send a team to contest the India-Australia Davis Cup tie in Chennai next month, citing security concerns during India's election period. Concerns expressed by Tennis Australia had prompted the ITF to conduct a security review of the venue earlier this month, but the location was found to be suitable. A subsequent appeal by Tennis Australia was also rejected.

As a result, Tennis Australia has decided to have its players sit out the tie. "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 a statement from Tennis Australia president Geoff Pollard.

The decision leaves Australia facing a possible fine and a year's suspension from the event.

The TickerNikolay Davydenko on his chances against Rafael Nadal in the Barcelona semifinals: "Say the odds are 100 percent for Rafa."

The TickerAndy Roddick, who got married last week, will not be playing Rome. The tournament website has not listed his name in its players list.

David Nalbandian, Gael Monfils and Mario Ancic will also be missing.

The TickerThe ITF board of directors has rejected Tennis Australia's appeal to move the India-Australia Davis Cup tie from Chennai.
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