Sumit Nagal and Sasi Kumar Mukund will not be playing against Pakistan in February’s tie
Sumit Nagal and Sasi Kumar Mukund, India’s top two men’s singles players, have told the All India Tennis Association (AITA) that they will not be competing in the Davis Cup Group I play-off tie in Pakistan in February.
Sumit Nagal is India’s highest-ranked men’s singles player, presently placed 141st in the ATP rankings. Meanwhile, Mukund is India’s second-best men’s singles player, despite being ranked 477th, much below his colleague.
Nagal has opted out of the tie because the grass court where the matches would be held does not suit his game style, according to PTI, while Mukund has cited “personal reasons” for his inability to participate (h/t The Hindu).
“Nagal had conveyed to the team management long back that he should not be considered for the tie against Pakistan because grass court is not his preferred surface,” a person familiar with the matter said.
Meanwhile, AITA secretary general Anil Dhupar is irritated by the players’ choice to skip the match. He indicated that he has brought the problem to the Executive Committee’s attention and is awaiting their decision.
“This is incorrect. When it comes to serving your nation, why wouldn’t you? I have sent the subject to the Executive Committee. If players desire to represent India, they have no option. My theory is straightforward. But I’m not the kind to answer the phone. The Executive Committee must make the decision,” he told PTI.
“I understand if the player is sick or injured, but this is not the first time Mukund has withdrawn from national duty.” He’s done it twice,” he said.
Mukund also withdrew from a Davis Cup match against Pakistan in 2019 because of a foot issue.
The Pakistan Tennis Federation intends to host India in a Davis Cup match.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani Tennis Federation is determined to host its neighbors for the Davis Cup match. A match between India and Pakistan in 2019 was moved to Kazakhstan’s neutral zone for “security reasons,” but the Davis Cup Committee is unlikely to make the same concession again.
The PTF, on its part, is adamant about inviting India over for the game, with President Salim Saifullah Khan telling PTI:
“They should visit Pakistan.” It is unfair that they do not visit Pakistan. The Indian team is far superior to ours. We have a lovely hotel right across the street from the stadium. If Indians arrive, it will give a strong signal that we are decent neighbors.”
In the absence of Sumit Nagal and Sasi Kumar Mukund, Ramkumar Ramanathan will lead the Indian squadron in the February match. India and Pakistan have previously met eight times in the Davis Cup event, with India winning each time.
The last time India’s Davis Cup team visited Pakistan was in 1964 when the visitors won the tie 4-0.
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