AITA denies players threatening pullout

The All India Tennis Association dismissed media reports that the star quartet of Mahesh Bhupathi, Leander Paes, Somdev Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna has threatened to pull out of the Commonwealth Games due to non-clearance of Davis Cup dues and lack of financial assistance for preparations.

The All India Tennis Association dismissed media reports that the star quartet of Mahesh Bhupathi, Leander Paes, Somdev Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna has threatened to pull out of the Commonwealth Games due to non-clearance of Davis Cup dues and lack of financial assistance for preparations.

HT Image

According to reports in certain sections of the media, the players wrote to AITA Secretary General Anil Khanna that if their dues were not cleared by September, they will not play in the October 3 to 14 Delhi Games.

The letter was reportedly signed by Bhupathi, Paes, Somdev and Bopanna. However, Khanna rubbished the claim.

"No player has threatened to pull out of Commonwealth Games. This is all wrong information. There is no issue as far as Davis Cup is concerned. All the dues are cleared. Even the dues of the last tie against Russia have been paid," Khanna said.

"Players actually have written specifically that they are satisfied by the Davis Cup arrangements. As far as the assistance for the CWG is concerned, we are in talks with the Sports Ministry and the issue will be resolved soon," he added.

AITA also claimed that the government has acknowledged the concerns expressed by elite players and is ready to release funds for them also.