South Africa Tells Its Side Of The Davis Cup Problem

Written by: Staff on 24th September 2012

South Africa Tells Its Side Of The Davis Cup Problem

epa03244647 Kevin Anderson of South Africa returns to Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic during their third round match for the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 01 June 2012. EPA/IAN LANGSDON |

After harsh criticism from top national player and recent Davis Cup absentee Kevin Anderson, beleaguered South African tennis officials have been spelling out their version of the financial spat which kept the ATP No. 35 from competing for in nation in the World group promotion tie against Canada.

With South Africa losing to the a side featuring Milos Raonic and doubles king Daniel Nestor, the disappointment was made even the worse by the fact that the tie had to be played in Canada since the South African federation could not raise any sponsorship money to play the event at home where it had originally been scheduled.

Tennis SA boss Ian Smith said that while the team would have loved to have had the US-based Ando on board, his financial demands on pay-to-play were too high. Anderson had said he needed guarantees for his career if he were to be injured in Davis Cup – guarantees which were not forthcoming.

“Other players are playing (Davis Cup) for nothing, and though we appreciate what he has done for SA tennis,” said the boss to the Sapa agency, “Kevin needs to understand where SA sport in general stands with regards to funding and sponsorship.

“Last year we paid him a sizable amount of money to play two ties. Each time we play a Davis Cup tie overseas we cover flights and accommodation, and we also have a full-time physiotherapist with the team. Last year, when Kevin was injured, we still paid him. This year he asked for what we considered a little too much money.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Anderson, Canada ve South Africa tennis news, Davis Cup tennis news, financial problems in tennis, Kevin Anderson, milos raonic, South African tennis news, Tennis