Mahesh Bhupathi says Prakash Amritraj's absence from the Davis Cup team is a 'big blow' but the team will deal with it.
Indian doubles ace Mahesh Bhupathi says Prakash Amritraj's absence from the Davis Cup team is a 'big blow' but the team will deal with it when they take on Chinese Taipei in the next month's away tie.
Prakash, India's number two singles player, was rendered ineligible for selection due to government's new sports policy
which allows only Indian citizens to play for the country.
Prakash's absence leaves only two specialist singles players -- Somdev Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna -- for the tie.
"It's a big blow but we got to deal with it. Almost all the (sports) federations were in favour of that policy. So we have to deal with it," Bhupathi said here on the sidelines of an event of his academy.
India will take on Chinese Taipei, who recently defeated Kazakhstan, in the second round of the Asia/Oceania zone Group I tie from March 6.
On being asked about the tie, Bhupathi said, "It is going to be very tough. Playing against any Asian team is tough and they also have a top-50 player."
A few days back Aditya Sachdev, Yuki Bhambri's coach, had suggested that the Delhi teenager should be given the opportunity to be with the Davis Cup team for fast learning and Bhupathi was not averse to the idea.
"I think he should. Playing in the Davis Cup is dream of every (tennis playing) kid. When I played as a junior, I also dreamt about that. It's great to be part of the Indian team.
"No doubt, he (Yuki) is going to represent India one day," he said after hitting a few balls with India's first junior Australian Open champion at Panchsheel Park.
Bhupathi and his doubles partner Mark Knowles were runners-up at Australian Open, but the Indian ace seems to have taken the final match loss to Bryan bothers in his stride.
"Ninty eight percent players do not have ideal finish (only one pair wins). We are working hard. We finished number three last year and we will try to be number one this year," he said adding they will next play in Dubai ATP event.
Talking about his mixed doubles title with Sania Mirza, Bhuapthi said, "It is confidence boosting (for Sania). But it's a long road ahead for her. She should use it to translate into the singles success."
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