India faces Davis Cup crisis after failed negotiations
Purchase this article for republication
Buy SPH photos
MUMBAI (REUTERS) - Indian tennis faces a second major embarrassment in six months after negotiations between the association and disgruntled Davis Cup players failed ahead of their home tie against South Korea next month.
Eight top players, excluding Leander Paes, submitted a list of requirements to the All India Tennis Association (Aita) with a veiled threat to snub the regional first round tie in New Delhi from Feb. 1-3 if no action was taken.
On Sunday, the Aita agreed to most of the demands but it was not enough to convince the group, which includes Mahesh Bhupathi, Somdev Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna, as they rejected the compromise formula.
Hironmoy Chatterjee, the chief executive of the governing body, ruled out any further dialogue with the players and set them a Thursday deadline to commit to playing in the team event.
