Anand Amritraj is India’s New Davis Cup Captain

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 4th October 2013

French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros

Anand Amritraj is India's New Davis Cup Captain

epa03732207 The racket of Tommy Haas of Germany as returns during his quarter final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 05 June 2013. EPA/YOAN VALAT |

To many people’s perception India’s newly appointed Davis Cup captain Anand Amritraj has inherited one of the most tempestuous jobs in tennis but he is confident there will be ‘smooth sailing’ for his team in 2014 because he take more heed of players’ demands.

Indian tennis was hit by a players’ revolt under previous captain Shiv Prakash Misra and historically there has been constant squabbling with much of the internal strife centering on the relationship between doubles specialists Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi.

Next year Bhupathi will have officially retired from the ATP World Tour and Amritraj insists much of his focus from now on will be on singles play. He will also address complaints about better playing conditions and demands for a change in the Indian team’s support staff.

“I will have a word with All India Tennis Association selection committee,” said Amritraj. It’s been a tough choice, because we have had three great doubles players but only two slots. Rohan Bopanna has played unbelievable, he became world number three. It is hard to leave him out and Leander won the US Open.”

Amritraj said since he shares a very good rapport with the Indian youngsters, there was no doubt about his acceptance but refused to give a direct opinion on the revolt, which saw Indian players skipping the February tie against the Korean Republic in Delhi , forcing AITA to field a depleted side that lost 1-4.

Amritraj said: “The players felt that they needed to do it. It’s hard to say whether it was right thing or wrong. They felt they needed to do that and stuck together.”

India will find out their first round opponents in the Davis Cup’s Asia/Oceania Zone Group I later on in the year.

Topics: 10sballs.com, All India Tennis Association, Anand Amritraj, Atp World Tour, Davis Cup, Mahesh Bhupathi, Shiv Prakash MisraLeander Paesm, Tennis, Tennis News, US Open