Melbourne, Apr 25 (ANI): Australia could be banned from Davis Cup competition for a year and fined 100,000 dollars if it refuses to play its tie with India in Chennai.
Tennis Australia will be told on Saturday if its attempt to move the tie away from Chennai has been successful, but the International Tennis Federation is expected to refuse the appeal when it votes in London.
If Australia then refuses to play the tie, the ban and fine could apply. FOX Sports reported.
Australia’s No.1 player Lleyton Hewitt and teammate Chris Guccione will not be going in any case. Hewitt’s manager David Drysdale said this week the two-time Grand Slam champion and father of two did not want to go to Chennai.
The tie is set for the 5800-capacity outdoor venue, the SDAT Tennis Stadium.
A win over India would propel Australia to the world group play-offs in September, paving the way for re-entry into the top tier in 2010.
A loss against India would mean 2012 would be the earliest Australia could re-enter the world group. A 12-month ban would push that back to 2013.
The ITF is unlikely to grant Australia’s wish, considering its own security consultants approved the Chennai stadium before TA issued its appeal.
The other factor in the mix is the influence of the Asian Tennis Federation executive vice-president and secretary general, Anil Khanna.
He is already on record as wanting a Grand Slam to be played in Asia and wields a lot of power among ITF board members. (ANI)
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