India left with Davis Cup rookies after revolt
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MUMBAI (REUTERS) - Leander Paes will spearhead a second-string Indian team in the home Davis Cup tie against South Korea next month following a revolt by the country's frontline players.
Eight top players, excluding 13-times Grand Slam doubles champion Paes, had submitted a list of demands to the All India Tennis Association (AITA) with a threat to snub the regional first round tie in New Delhi from Feb. 1-3.
The AITA agreed to most of the demands but it was not enough to convince the disgruntled players including multiple doubles Grand Slam champion Mahesh Bhupathi, Somdev Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna, who made themselves unavailable for the tie.
AITA chief executive Hironmoy Chatterjee said the federation had extended the Thursday deadline to Friday noon but the players did not commit to playing in the team event.
