Former tennis player Vijay Amritraj has urged Australia to set aside its security apprehensions about playing its Davis Cup tie in Chennai, saying India is a safe sporting venue.
Former tennis player Vijay Amritraj has urged Australia to set aside its security apprehensions about playing its Davis Cup tie in Chennai, saying India is a safe sporting venue.
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Amritraj said the Aussies should play the all-important Asia/Oceania Zone (Group I) tie as scheduled. India and Australia are slated to lock horns in Chennai from May 8 to 10 to decide which country progresses to the playoffs for a spot in the elite World Group.
But following last month's terror attacks on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore and the shifting of the Indian Premier League to South Africa due to security concerns, Tennis Australia is unwilling to travel to India and has requested the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to shift the tie out of Chennai.
"Honestly, I do not think there is any security issue. As far as India is concerned, anyone from anywhere in the world should not have any hesitancy about coming here either as a visitor or for participating in a sports event," Amritraj said. The US-based Amritraj said he was optimistic about Australia coming to India for the important tie.
"I think they will (visit) and I think they should. Chennai is a wonderful city, where we have had major events. There should not be any security concern whatsoever. The stadium is perfect," Amritraj said.
The former Davis Cupper was also of the view that the hosts have an upper hand against the Aussies if the tie is played at Chennai's Nungambakkam Tennis Stadium because of country's numero uno singles player Somdev Dev Varman's success on the hard court there.
"As far as India is concerned, we have had good success there with Somdev Dev Varman playing in Chennai Open this year and Rohan Bopanna has been playing there regularly. Mahesh (Bhupathi) and Leander (Paes) have won doubles titles many times here. I think, it is wonderful," Amritraj said.
"We chose to play on the best surface. If hard court is the choice of the players, the right hard court should be allocated for the tie. It depended entirely on the surface chosen by the players. Somdev is our number one singles player and if he wants to play on hard court it should be given," he added.
Asked whether there is a possibility of Australia forfeiting the tie if not shifted out of India, Amritraj, who made it to the quarterfinals of 1973 Wimbledon and US Open said, "I do not know what the rules and regulations are. Obviously, things have changed consistently over the last several years. But I do not think that it will come to that situation," Amritraj said.
Asked about India's chances of making it to the World Group, a feat which they have not achieved since 1998, he said the chances are 50-50 as the competition in the Asian zone has increased in the last couple of years.
"It has always been a good to be in the World Group. But presently, the central Asian countries have come into play such as Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. There are about 40 countries in Asia now, which makes it more difficult to be able to come through. But at the same time, most of those players are also ranked higher and they have had successful seasons.
"One should also take into account the fact that the draw also makes it happen at times. If you play home matches, there is always better chance of progressing in Davis Cup," said Amritraj.
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