By Denzil Fernandes

Jan 15: All is not well with Indian Tennis. Nothing strange compared to the ills of all other Indian sports and games which also sail in the same boat. Everywhere there seems to be a kind of revolt and mismanagement leading to a stand off between the players and the so called officials and management.

It is a pity that the All India Tennis Association (AITA) seems to be drawn into a very uncomfortable position by India’s leading tennis players. Some of them have decided not to play for the country and in the process effectively boycott the forthcoming Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I tie against South Korea here from Feb 1-3. Which also means that the AITA will be forced to select a weak and raw set of players to face the Koreans. While the Koreans will be jumping in glee, the Indians will be at the receiving end in the Davis Cup tie.

That such an ugly situation should not have taken place in the first instance is without any doubt. The country’s leading players have all benefitted from AITA at some time or other in their career earlier. But right now, these players seem to be trying to dictate terms to the tennis body which is uncalled for. Something like a ‘dadagiri’ is what the players have done to prove their point. They have asked for better remuneration, superior flying class for their travel, common physiotherapist, bigger share in the Davis Cup remuneration and to have a say in selecting the non playing captain as well as the team coach. The AITA claims that most of their demands have been met while insisting that it is the association’s business to decide on the non playing captain and the coach.

Revolting players include Somdev Devvraman, Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna, Yuki Bhambri, Vishnu Vardhan, Sanam Singh, Divij Sharan, Saketh Myneni, Sriram Balaji, Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Vijay Sundar Prashanth. Who started the entire episode is not known, but if one recalls the drama even before the team was selected for the 2012 London Olympics it is easy to guess the main actors.

The clash has continued and the AITA have named a not too strong squad of players who will be pitted against the Koreans. Except for die hard patriot and seasoned player Leander Paes, there is no one who is capable of winning against the hosts. Unless, of course, our boys shows some amazing performance to stun the hosts. Along with Leander Paes, there will be V.M. Ranjeet, Vijayant Malik and Purav Raja who will be making their debut. Ashwin Vijayaraghavan and Arjun Khade are the two reserves. This is almost like a third string team since even the second string players have joined the boycott.

Commenting on the decision by the players, AITA CEO Hironmoy Chatterjee said, ““We have given then all the time in the world to make themselves available for the tie. But they refused to budge. In terms of financial compensation, we have accepted all their demands. But the players want a coach and captain of their choice. It is not acceptable because a player cannot expect to be a player, coach, selector and administrator at the same time.” The AITA retained S.P.Misra as the non playing captain for the tie against Korea and picked former Davis Cup player Zeeshan Ali as the coach.

Former Davis Cup player for India Anand Amritraj and brother of Vijay Amritraj (another great Indian tennis player) was hurt by the developments. He said that it was not practical to consult all players to pick the coach and captain of their choice. “In the 70s, when Vijay and I, we played in singles and doubles, we used have a large say in the decision-making, not the composition of the team,” said.

“Vijay (Amritraj) was captain, Ramesh (Krishnan) was there. We got along fine and beautifully. We got along well with the federation. It always went quite smoothly. There is no reason why it shouldn't go along the same way now.”

“I don't know what sort of compromises it will take of both parties to meet midway, but the only thing that matters is that they resolve the issue. It's a shame. This whole thing is now a complete impasse. They (AITA) have picked a team. So you stand behind them and wish them best, hope they can get past Korea and then work out where you go from there.”

He called for the fighting parties to come to a settlement and sort the issue quickly in the interest of the game.

The Koreans will be jumping with joy after getting a golden opportunity to win against a weak Indian team. They may not be a force in the Asia Oceania Group compared to Australia and Japan but with such a third string Indian side it will be a heaven sent opportunity for them to sail past with ease.

Generally speaking, almost all the tennis players anywhere in the world are well off and the grievances could surely have been sorted immediately after the Davis Cup tie. Unfortunately, the well heeled players have put their country behind and their personal well being in front despite the AITA saying that they have met most of their demands. At the end, the sporting spirit exhibited by the players has been unworthy of their status.

Poor Paes and his teammates will have a formidable task to get past the young Koreans. Despite home support, if ever the Indians prevail that would mark the deathknell for the revolting Indian players. The AITA will have the last laugh and the boycotting players a black mark against them.

Despite all their well earned prize money, the tennis players have shown their greed for more at the cost of their country’s prestige, name and progress. One wonders what sportsmen from other disciplines should do when they hardly get any prize money or realistic allowances when they represent our country abroad.