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Mats Wilander quits as Sweden Davis Cup coach

Reuters
Tuesday, October 20, 2009 21:33 IST
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Stockholm: Mats Wilander has quit as Sweden's Davis Cup coach, the country's tennis federation said on Tuesday.

Mats Wilander speaks during a news conference at the Baltic Arena in Malmo March 3, 2009.

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"I will not continue. It's private reasons behind the decision. I want to be home more, spend more time with the kids," Wilander told Swedish daily Aftonbladet.

"It was a difficult decision. I made up my mind three days ago."

General secretary Henrik Kallen told the federation's website (www.tennis.se) that he respected Wilander's decision to leave his post.

"We are grateful for these years and the success we've had," he said.

Wilander, a seven-times grand slam winner as a player, took over the Sweden team in 2003.

Two years ago, he steered Sweden to the Davis Cup semi-finals where they lost to eventual champions United States.

With no big players at his disposal except world number 10 Robin Soderling, Wilander has struggled to find a team capable of delivering regular wins at the Davis Cup.

This year, with Soderling absent because of injury, Sweden lost to Israel in the first round and as a consequence had to play the playoffs to make it into next year's World Group.

Sweden beat Romania in their playoff at home in Helsingborg last month.

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