Davis Cup

The latest controversy in Indian tennis involving the Davis Cup team members revolting against captain is surely unheard of but not completely unexpected. The AITA has confirmed receiving a letter from Prakash Amritraj and Rohan Bopanna complaining against Leander Paes and threatening a boycott of Davis Cup matches if Paes remained captain.

In my view,the red flag went up when I read one of Leander Paes's press conference during their recent tie against Uzbekistan. Leander was quoted saying on one of the papers that Prakash had an unprofessional attitude and had gone out Saturday night and returned with a Delhi belly. I immediately felt that it was not in India's best interests when the captain is giving out on his teammates. I feel that Leander need not have disclosed that much to the public.These things have to be resolved inside closed doors with the player and captain.

With this latest development, All India Tennis Association is put in a precarious situation. Leander has been accused of putting his interests first. With Bopanna, Amritraj,Bhupathi and Rastogi in conflict with Paes, there are not too many players left except Somdev Varman.

Leander has been a Davis Cup legend and his appearances and victories are unparalleled. For AITA, it is a double-edged sword. If they were to support Leander, they will not have the best team line-up for India's next Davis Cup tie. But if they choose to side with Bhupathi,Bopanna and Amritraj, they will probably lose a sports icon from Indian tennis scene. Furthermore they also will need to consider the fact that once AITA gives in to players demands, there is no question that this tactic maybe followed by other players in future.