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Davis Cup players want captain Paes sacked: Report

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Reuters

Posted online: Sunday , February 24, 2008 at 11:28:19


New Delhi, February 24: Davis Cup players want captain Leander Paes sacked for undermining team spirit, a national newspaper reported on Sunday.

The stand-off, which could hamper India's preparations for the Beijing Olympics, follows Paes' decision not to field Prakash Amritraj for the opening singles in an Asian zonal win over Uzbekistan at home earlier this month.

All India Tennis Association (AITA) Secretary Anil Khanna confirmed he had received a signed letter from four players, including Paes's former doubles partner Mahesh Bhupathi.

"We have received a letter and the AITA committee will deliberate on the issue," he told Reuters.

"It is an internal matter and a decision, keeping in mind the best interests of the Indian team, will be taken."

Paes had accused Amritraj of lacking commitment, saying a stomach ailment before the tie was down to Amritraj's decision to attend a late party.

Amritraj, who insisted he was fit to play, clinched the decisive reverse singles after he was eventually fielded by Paes.

The players said they had lost confidence in Paes, criticising him for repeatedly running them down in the media.

Paes and Bhupathi were involved in a public spat that marred their successful doubles campaign at the 2006 Doha Asian Games.

Although they vowed never to pair up in future, the multiple grand slam doubles winners have since agreed to come together in their final bid to win a doubles medal at the Beijing Games.

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Indian women tennis players by Raju on 25 Feb 2008

And to think that our women/girl players were angels. At the recent Fed Cup in Bangkok, local Indians took their children to watch the matches. A harrowing experience awaited them as the young Indian girls used obscene language repeatedly. The abuse was directed at their own mistakes and at their opponents (or their winners) who of course did not understand a word that was said. But the Indian audience did, and a friend of mine now refuses to take his sons to watch any tennis matches involving these girls. Are these to be the ambassadors of our country? I think we deserve better. There are better ways of expelling your frustrations. Any guesses as to how far these girls will move in the international arena?

Paes and Bhupathi need to figure things out amongst themselves or exit! by Hemant on 25 Feb 2008

I don't care who is right and who is wrong. Paes and Bhupathi are ruining the youngsters now. This is unprecedented. They need to talk to each other and figure out their problems or exit gracefully. I personally don't like Bhupathi, because he advised Sania to not play in India. This according to me is a very unpatriotic thing to do. If Paes and Bhupathi can't figure out their issues, in all sincerity for the sake of Indian tennis, both of these guys should be shown the door.

Throw these evils out! by Dileep on 25 Feb 2008

Well said. I totally agree. I could not have said this any better! Thanx.

Indian Sports by Ram on 25 Feb 2008

Stomach ailment reason to attend a party is fine? Placing leg in front of Indian National Flag called for a plain simple apology. But No, the player responded by refusing to play in her home country.People of India is this how you would like the players who play for YOUR NATION to be like?????[Think strong politics has taken over our Nation sports too??]

We do not need Jokers! by Jolly on 24 Feb 2008

India has not done anything great in Men's Tennis since Ramanathan Krishanan and Vijay Amritraj. I agree Bhupathi and Paes WERE great doubles players although not as good in singles. Their politicking because of personal grudges is ruining the present Indian Tennis. Chuck both these jokers out of Indian Tennis before people lose interest in this game in India!

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