Leander Paes will not play India's Davis Cup tie against Serbia

Leander Paes

New Delhi, Aug 7 (IANS): India’s tennis great Leander Paes will skip the country’s Davis Cup World Group playoff against Serbia to be held at the KSLTA Tennis Stadium in Bangalore from September 12 to 14.

The All India Tennis Association (AITA), which will meet here August 13 to select the team for the crucial tie, said that though Paes wanted to play, he will be unavailable due to "personal compulsions".

However, the Olympic medallist will play in the September 19 – October 4 Incheon Asian Games.

The Davis Cup selection committee meeting will choose on August 13 the team for the tie against Serbia, AITA secretary general Bharat Oza said.

"Leander Paes will play the Asian Games and was desirous of playing Davis Cup as well. However, due to personal compulsions, AITA has decided to accept his request to not play in the Davis Cup tie against Serbia," Oza said in a statement.

The winning country will qualify for the 2015 World Group while the losing country will contest in the Zone Groups.

India qualified for the playoffs when they beat South Korea 3-1 at Busan in the second round of Group I Asia/Oceania in April.

The 2013 finalists, Serbia will travel to India looking to continue their seven-year presence in the World Group. Serbia has made it to the quarterfinals or more every year since 2010.

For India, this tie represents a chance to return to the Davis Cup's top table. Serbia hold a 2-1 head-to-head over India in Davis Cup.