AITA expresses disappointment over player commitment following Davis Cup loss
The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has openly expressed concern over the commitment of India's top tennis players after the national team suffered a 0-4 defeat against Sweden in the Davis Cup.
The absence of key players such as Sumit Nagal and Yuki Bhambri, as well as the unavailability of Mukund Sasikumar, has stirred controversy, with the body questioning the willingness of these players to represent the country in an important event.
India's loss to Sweden reflects a broader issue of player participation in the Davis Cup. The association's public statement has emphasized how the non-involvement of experienced players like Nagal and Bhambri significantly weakened the squad. Bhambri, in particular, did not provide a specific reason for his withdrawal from the team, raising concerns about his commitment. Sumit Nagal also chose not to participate, leaving a major gap in the team's lineup.
The absence of these players not only affected the team's chances but also sparked discussions about the importance of representing the country on the international stage. The Davis Cup has long been viewed as a platform for showcasing national pride. The refusal of some players to join the team has caused disappointment and controversy.
Following India's defeat, players like Sumit and former players Somdev Devvarman and Purav Raja voiced concerns about AITA’s management.
In response to these criticisms, the AITA issued a strongly worded statement via X (formerly Twitter).
"Representing India in Davis Cup is more than just tennis -- it's about honour, national pride, and inspiring the next generation of athletes. Players like Sumit Nagal, Yuki Bhambri, and Mukund Sasikumar refused to play for the country even though they were participating in other tournaments elsewhere," the statement read.
The tennis body highlighted that both the captain of the Davis Cup team and the AITA’s management made multiple efforts to convince the players to play for India. However, despite these attempts, the players declined the opportunity to represent the country.
AITA made efforts to secure player participation
According to the association, attempts were made to convince the top players to participate, but those efforts proved unsuccessful. Mukund Sasikumar, currently serving a suspension, was one of the players who refused to play despite the captain’s repeated efforts to bring him back.
Anil Dhupar, the secretary of the AITA, disclosed that captain Rohit Rajpal made multiple attempts to persuade Sasikumar, going as far as to propose that the suspension could be revoked by the association's executive committee.
Dhupar revealed (as reported by India Today):
“The captain called 10 times and said that he will request the executive committee to revoke the decision (suspension). It's time for you to play. If there is a decision against you, he will request the executive committee. But he refused.”