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Davis Cup: Anand Amritraj feels India needs a higher ranked player to reach World Group

By Sujata Sarkar

Bengaluru, Sep 20: It has been learnt that the All India Tennis Association (AITA) is not happy with Anand Amritraj, the non-playing captain of India's current Davis Cup team.

Spain whitewash India 5-0Spain whitewash India 5-0

The reason is Anand's statement against the AITA's decision of staging the Davis Cup match against Spain in the evening instead of hosting it in the humid afternoon. Anand felt the matches, if would have been organised in the afternoon under the scorching Sun, India would have benefitted.

Anand Amritraj (left) with Leander Paes


And even after a whitewash against Spain with a 0-5 scoreline, Anand believes India would have reached the position during the tie, where they could have earned the historic victory against Rafael Nadal-led fancied Spain!

Anand clarified saying, "Ramkumar Ramanathan was in good momentum. If his first service in the fourth set would not have been broken by his stronger opposition, he could have even won the singles! The similar situation came to us in the doubles when we could have taken the lead with 2-0 at a time when Saket Myneni was serving. During that period Nadal looked struggling to regain his touch. I am sure if we could have taken the lead we would have been able to win the doubles also."

Talking about Indian players' muscle cramp during the tie, Anand explained, "These boys, except Leander (Paes) do not have the strength in their legs. You must need personal trainer to enhance your physical strength as well as you need to take part in as many as tournaments throughout the year. Otherwise it will be difficult for them to gain the needed physical strength."

Asked whether India has a realistic chance to qualify for the World Group ever, the non-playing captain said, "It sounds difficult now. You do not have any player in the singles whose ranking is within the top 100. If you have such singles player then you will be assured of winning both the singles matches in the Davis Cup and then you need to prepare for the doubles. Otherwise, we should not see the dream qualifying for the World Group."

OneIndia News

Story first published: Tuesday, August 8, 2017, 11:07 [IST]
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