The Pakistan Tennis Federation should have taken a stronger stand on ITF's decision to shift the Davis Cup tie against New Zealand from Lahore fearing security concerns, feels ace player Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi.
“I just think that this time the PTF should have done more on this issue. We should not have accepted this lying down,” Qureshi said.
The International Tennis Federation has moved the Asia-Oceania Group-II Davis Cup semi-final tie from Lahore to New Zealand after the Kiwis were reluctant to travel to Pakistan because of the volatile security situation.
Incidentally, this was the third time since last year that Pakistan has lost its Davis Cup home ties because of security concerns.
Qureshi said the players were fed up of playing their home ties in other countries as by doing so they lose out on home advantage.
PTF, meanwhile, has asked ITF to hold the semi-final tie at a neutral venue like Dubai or Malaysia instead of having it in New Zealand. But Qureshi said it was not a solution.
“We have not played a Davis Cup tie at home since last three years which is very disappointing for all of us,” he said.
The PTF has also demanded USD 100,000 as compensation due to the relocation of the tie. “Unless our young players get a chance to play against international competition at home, how will the Pak tennis progress,” Qureshi said.
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