Tennis Australia may decide not to go in for an appeal if the International Tennis Federation (ITF) gives a favourable report.
Tennis Australia may decide not to go in for an appeal if the International Tennis Federation (ITF) gives a favourable report for Chennai as the venue of their Davis Cup tie against India from May 8-10, it is reliably learnt.
The Australian tennis federation had last month asked for their third-round Asia-Oceania tie to be moved out of India over security fears, following which the ITF decided to send a team to assess the situation in the southern city. According to rules, either of the countries involved (India and Australia) can appeal against the ITF’s decision, which is expected next week.
Though India and Australia had initially looked set for a confrontation, Australian officials have relaxed their stance, say sources.
The AITA secretary-general, Anil Khanna, though, refused to confirm that he had got positive indications regarding Australia’s stance.
“The three-member ITF security team led by Stephen Schad seems to be satisfied after visiting the venue and team hotel. As far as we are concerned, we are confident that the report will be in our favour,” said Khanna, who flew down to Chennai on Wednesday to meet the ITF security team.
The visiting officials were reported to be satisfied after being assured of top-class security and being explained how the annual ATP event is held at the venue every January.
Tennis Australia was reportedly averse to playing in India after the Lahore attack on Sri Lankan players last month, as well as the shifting out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) from the country.
But the arrival of Aussie cricketers in Glenn McGrath and David Warner in India before they move to South Africa for the IPL, is also reported to have been a consideration for Australian tennis officials, since the players could have flown directly to the host nation instead of coming here for promotional events.
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