Australia has pulled out of the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania group tie against India that was scheduled to be staged in Chennai in May because of the security concerns during the elections in the country and could face a one-year suspension from the Davis Cup.

The ITF on Friday rejected Australia’s appeal and upheld the decision to hold the matches in Chennai as originally planned May 8-10. The winner would advance to the World Group playoffs in September.

Less than 12 hours after the ITF announced that decision, Tennis Australia president Geoff Pollard said his team would boycott the match.

Davis Cup rules say that if a team withdraws from the competition after the draw, the country will not be eligible to take part in the competition the following year and be fined up to $100,000.

The ITF said the Davis Cup Committee would decide on any penalties “in due course.”

“The ITF regrets and respectfully disagrees with the decision of Tennis Australia to default,” the competition’s governing body said in a statement.


Geoff Pollard said: “We asked for the tie to be moved because we have major security concerns for the players, particularly during the election,”

“The ITF decision has left us with no other option. We cannot send the team. It is extremely disappointing. Davis Cup is very important to us, but some things are more important than tennis.”

Australia Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald said he was angered by the ITF decision.

“It is just irresponsible. Surely some thought must be given to the players’ safety,” Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald said his players hope the ITF will change its mind.

The secretary-general of the All India Tennis Association (AITA), Anil Khanna, expressed his disappointment.

“Australia has been arrogant, irresponsible and has not taken the correct decision,” said Mr. Khanna here on Saturday.

“Davis Cup is the biggest tennis event in the world. The decision of Australia is not in the best interests of the game. It shows the complete ignorance of the Aussies. The ITF security agency had made a thorough study and had given a comprehensive report,” he added.

India’s federal sports minister, M.S. Gill, said there was no justification for Australia’s boycott.

“I regret that Australia is not willing to come to Chennai to play us. We’re fully conscious of security concerns and there is no justification for Australia not to play in Chennai,” Gill said in a statement. “There is no law-and-order problem in Chennai. India does not have a slightest of problems regarding security in sports.”


(via sports.yahoo.com, hindu.com, photo/AP Photo)

Australia refuses to go to India, pull out of Davis Cup tie, risks ban