We took the right step: Yuki
Yuki Bhambri made a surprise appearance during India’s Davis Cup tie against South Korea on Friday. Among the 11 players who have boycotted the tie, Bhambri admitted missing the action but insisted they took the step for the betterment of tennis in the country.
Led by Somdev Devvarman, the players had a fall out with the tennis federation over a series of demands which included a new support staff and bigger share of prize money.
Though All India Tennis Association’s (AITA) insisted they have agreed to most of their demands and communicated the same to the players, Bhambri denied its claim.
“Whatever they have said (about our demands), they could have given on a piece of paper and we would have made ourselves available,” said Bhambri, who watched the match between Vijayant Malik and Suk-Young Jeong from the stands.
“I keep reading that they are speaking to the younger players but that is not the case. Even Leander said he has spoken to players but I would like to know who are these players. He didn’t speak to me. We (players) are in touch with each other and I don’t know such names who have said anything like that. We have already made it clear that Somdev is the only person who would be communicating on the issue and nobody else.” The AITA would hold its executive council meeting on Sunday and the 20-year-old hoped something positive would come out of it.
“Who wouldn’t like to play Davis Cup. You miss the action. It obviously hurts when your country loses. But we were forced to take a stand,” he said.
“This is the first time I came to the main stadium and I must say they have done a good job. Sitting on the stands and watching the tie does feel odd. Hopefully, they (AITA) will agree to our demands. As soon as it happens, we will play for India.”
