City
Epaper

Great opportunity for our players to build relationships in Pakistan: Somdev

By IANS | Updated: July 26, 2019 17:55 IST

Former India No. 1 tennis player Somdev Devvarman feels it's a great opportunity for the Davis Cup team to "build relationships" with their Pakistan counterparts when they go there for the two-day Asia-Oceania Group 1 tie in September.

Open in App

"It's great. Honestly, I wish I was part of the team," Somdev told in an interview facilitated by Sony Pictures Networks.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for our players to go and experience Pakistan. Amazing opportunity for young athletes to go and build relationships with countries that we have problems with historically," said Somdev who is now the national observer for tennis.

"It's a message of peace and play tennis in a competitive environment with mutual respect. I hope they make the most of it," he added.

After the International Tennis Federation (ITF) gave Pakistan the green signal to host the Davis Cup tie at the grass courts of the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad, the All India Tennis Association (AITA) has begun the process of checking player availability and sorting visa applications.

"We got the invitation yesterday. Now we will apply for visas. It's a lengthy process, so we have to do it beforehand," AITA Secretary General Hironmoy Chatterjee told on Friday.

The sports ministry has also cleared the Indian team's participation in the tie. This will be the first time since 2006 that the two countries will meet in the Davis Cup.

Pakistan did not host a Davis Cup tie for 12 years due to security reasons. The ban was lifted by the ITF in 2017.

If India do not turn up for the away tie, they would be slapped with a fine like Hong Kong were after they refused to play an away tie in Pakistan. They were not only fined but also relegated to a lower division.

"None of the players or coaches have voiced any concern and I am hopeful they all will go," Chatterjee said.

There is no official announcement yet from AITA on their decision to send the team.

(Debayan Mukherjee can be contacted at debayan.m@.in)

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: Davis Cuppakistanindia
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalPakistan Lahore Airport Fire: Runway Shut Down After Massive Blaze, Flights Cancelled, Passengers Stranded (Watch Video)

NationalPahalgam Terror Attack: Amit Shah Directs States to Identify and Deport Pakistani Nationals

MumbaiViral Sighting of Tesla Cybertruck Near Mumbai Stirs EV Enthusiasm (Photos)

NationalPakistan Fires Small Arms Along LoC, Indian Army Retaliates Effectively

NationalPakistan Shuts Border, Suspends Shimla Agreement, Trade and Airspace for Indian Airlines

टेनिस Realted Stories

TennisRafael Nadal to be honoured with ceremony at this year's French Open

Tennis"MSLTA has been a flag bearer of Indian Tennis": Sunder Iyer on hosting three major international tournaments in Maharashtra

TennisCarlos Alcaraz defeats Lorenzo Musetti; clinches maiden Monte Carlo Masters title

TennisShrivalli, Ankita and Prarthana create history to help India qualify for the playoffs of the Billie Jean King Cup 2025

TennisVaidehi Chaudhary opens up about support from seniors in India's run at Billie Jean King Cup