Australia to contest any decision to suspend it from next year's Davis Cup

Melbourne, Apr 26 (ANI): Australia will challenge any decision to suspend it from next year's Davis Cup after announcing that it would not send a tennis team to India for the May 8-10 tie against India in Chennai.

Tennis Australia cited security fears related to the country's month-long general elections for which the final votes in Tamil Nadu state are cast on May 13.

Unless the International Tennis Federation rules otherwise, Australia may not play again until 2011. There is also the likelihood of a substantial fine and the possibility of relegation to a lower division, The Age reported.

Australia withdrew from the tie in India after hearing that its appeal for a change of venue or a delay of the tie until after Wimbledon had been rejected by the ITF.

Australia's captain John Fitzgerald was irate and condemned the federation board, accusing it of "buffoonery" and describing the decision as irresponsible.

"So what about the fact that dozens of people are being killed along the campaign trail of the election? A train was hijacked this week, but that does not alter their thoughts. Did the IPL move (Twenty20 cricket from India to South Africa) for no reason?" Fitzgerald asked.

Tennis Australia president Geoff Pollard announced the decision before yesterday's start to the Australian women's tennis team's Fed Cup tie against Switzerland in Mildura. (ANI)