Indian Tennis Stars Nagal and Mukund Opt Out of Davis Cup Clash in Pakistan, AITA to Address Player Refusal
India’s top singles players, Sumit Nagal and Sasi Kumar Mukund, have informed the All India Tennis Association (AITA) that they will not be participating in the upcoming Davis Cup tie against Pakistan. Both players have cited various reasons for their unavailability, prompting AITA to discuss the matter in its next Executive Committee meeting.
Reasons Behind Withdrawal
Sumit Nagal, ranked 141 in the ATP chart, expressed concerns about playing on grass courts, which do not align with his preferred playing surface. On the other hand, Sasi Kumar Mukund cited “personal reasons” for his decision to opt out of the Davis Cup matches.
The absence of Nagal and Mukund poses a challenge for the Indian Davis Cup team, as they are the top two singles players. The team management will need to reconsider the lineup and make adjustments for the World Group I play-off tie in February.
AITA Secretary General emphasized the importance of players prioritizing national duty. He stated that players should not hesitate to represent India, and the matter has been presented to the Executive Committee for further discussion. The AITA is considering the possibility of establishing a Davis Cup selection policy.
Efforts to Shift the Tie
India had previously drawn Pakistan in 2019, but due to “security concerns,” the tie was moved to Kazakhstan, a neutral venue. The current attempt to shift the Davis Cup tie has been rejected by the Davis Cup Committee, with AITA appealing the decision to the tribunal.
Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) has expressed its eagerness to host the Indian team and urged them to visit. The last time an Indian Davis Cup team traveled to Pakistan was in 1964, and if India decides to travel this time, it would mark the team’s first visit across the border in 59 years.
The decisions of Nagal and Mukund come amid heightened security concerns in the region, prompting athletes to carefully evaluate their participation in events held in specific locations. AITA emphasizes that the call on playing for the country should be made by the Executive Committee.
