Miffed AITA criticises Bopanna for opting out of ITF Futures

New Delhi, Feb 2 (UNI) All India Tennis Association (AITA) President Yshwant Sinha today criticised Rohan Bopanna for pulling out of the ITF 15,000 dollar Futures at the last minute, saying that the player should have put national duty above his personal aim to enhance his doubles rankings.

In a statement issued today, the AITA said Mr Sinha was not happy with Bopanna, who has already pulled out of the Davis Cup tie against Uzbekistan, and is not impressed with Bopanna's reasoning to withdraw from the event.

Bopanna had said that he wanted to improve his doubles rankings to qualify for the grand slams this year.

''AITA President has strongly expressed that national duty should come first and personal rankings can follow. He has expressed his displeasure at Rohan Bopanna opting out on the last moment to raise his personal rankings instead of playing the ITF 15,000 dollar Futures in India as a preparation for the crucial Davis Cup tie against Uzbekistan,'' the AITA statement said.

Earlier, uncapped Vivek Shokeen and Somdev Dev Varman were included in the Indian Davis Cup team for the Asia-Oceania Group 1 away tie after Bopanna and Mahesh Bhupathi withdrew their names.

Mr Sinha said Bhupathi's withdrawl was not a concern as it was done after consultation with the AITA.

''Bhupathi's decision not to play zonal Davis Cup matches has been taken in full consultation with AITA Executive Vice President and Secretary General Anil Khanna, who had agreed that for zonal matches it would be most appropriate to take a young team consisting of at least three singles players,'' the AITA statement said.

The Davis Cup tie is scheduled at Namangan from February 9 to 11 and Leander Paes will be India's playing captain of India in the matches. The AITA President called on the youngsters to emulate Paes and put national commitment above personal gains.

UNI