AITA sounds optimistic

Younger players likely to return

A day before the selection committee meeting for the Davis Cup tie against South Korea, All India Tennis Association (AITA) sounded positive of getting some of the younger players on board.

Even though nothing had come in writing from the players till late on Thursday night, AITA insisted the players were talking among themselves for a way out.

The tennis federation, who had kept Thursday evening as the deadline for players’ affirmation for the tie February 1-3 tie, said even if the players make themselves available for the tie before the selection meeting on Friday noon, they would be welcomed.

“We are expecting a few younger players to come on board by tomorrow. We have been speaking to them through their parents, coaches and friends.

‘Change of mind’

“We have learned the players are having a change of mind. They know their careers are at risk, and I am sure that by tomorrow they will make themselves available for selection,” AITA CEO Hironmoy Chatterjee told Deccan Herald.

“We had kept June 10 as the deadline but since many of them are travelling, we are willing to accept their availability even by Friday morning.”

It has also been learned that AITA was willing to reconsider their stand on number of reserve players and air travel but would not change their decision on the support staff.
“But first they should make themselves available for the tie. These minor issues can be sorted out later,” an AITA official said.

Standby

Meanwhile, AITA has also kept another set on standby for selection if the revolting players remain adamant on their stand.

Somdev Devvarman, Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna, Yuki Bhambri, Vishnu Vardhan, Sanam Singh, Divij Sharan and Saketh Myneni were the eight players who took on the federation to improve its dealing with the Davis Cup team and threatened to boycott the Korea tie if their suggestions were not considered.

The AITA’s offer in response was rejected by them. But AITA remained firm and refused to appease them further.