Tennis Australia "arrogant, irresponsible": Khanna

New Delhi, Apr 25 (PTI) All India Tennis Association
(AITA) Saturday lashed out at Australia for pulling out of
next month's Davis Cup tie against India, saying they have
acted in an "arrogant" and "irresponsible" manner "by creating
a situation solely out of their mind and not based on facts".

AITA also said it would convey its sentiments to the
International Tennis Federation in a letter following
Australia withdrawing from the May 8-10 Asia-Oceania Group I
tie barely a day after the game's governing body rejected its
plea to shift the match from Chennai.

"Despite the ITF security team had given an excellent
report that India is safe for the Aussie players, they have
pulled out of the tie. This indicates a certain order of
arrogance and a highly irresponsible action on the part of
Tennis Australia," Khanna told reporters.

In a letter sent to AITA, Tennis Australia President
Geoff Pollard had cited "high security risk during Indian
election" as the reason for pulling out of the tie.

"We asked for the tie to be moved because we have major
security concerns for players, particularly during (Indian)
election. The ITF decision has left us with no other option
but not to send the team. It would be irresponsible of us to
send our players into an area of such high risk," Pollard had
said in the letter.

But, Khanna was not amused and said TA's decision might
have been influenced by the players who do not want to come to
India.

"We have got the letter and are extremely disappointed
with their decision. The reasons cited for pulling out of the
tie reflect their ignorance. They are creating a situation
solely out of their mind and not based on facts. We will
intimate our sentiments to ITF in writing," he said.

"We have a very peaceful elections. Even if incidents do
occur but those have nothing to do with the Davis Cup tie.
TA's decision might have been influenced by the players who do
not want to travel to India," Khanna said.

"Australia is also a member of ITF Board of Directors.
They should have acted responsibly. They had done like this
earlier also by not sending their team in Indonesia in a
junior event. I hope they would act responsibly in future and
learn lessons," he added.

Australia now face a fine of USD 100,000 and the ban for
not abiding by the ITF verdict, but Khanna was guarded in his
response on this.

"TA could face financial penalty or may be demoted from
Group I to Group II. But we will leave that to ITF. It depends
on what ITF Board takes a decision," he said.

"BNP Paribas and other international sponsors must also
be disappointed. Generally the tennis fraternity in the world
would not appreciate TA's decision. This was an important
event for the Davis Cup. It was also an important event for us
before the 2010 Commonwealth Games," Khanna said.

Khanna, also President of Asian Tennis Association, had
earlier said he would even proposed for Australia being
dissociated from the Asia/Oceania group, but today he would
not drum up the issue.

"That is something to be looked into realistically and
Australia to think about," he said.

Khanna thanked the ITF for taking a "correct decision" on
the issue and appreciated the support AITA got from the Sports
Ministry.

"We appreciate ITF's objective decision. The Sports
Ministry had also supported us throughout," he said.

The AITA General Secretary also ridiculed the general
talk of Australian sports officials trying to drum up security
concern even for the 2010 CWG, saying the Games will be held
successfully without any security hiccups. PTI PDS
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