India gets right to host next Davis Cup tie against Australia

New Delhi:

In a moral victory for the All India Tennis Association, the International Tennis Federation has given AITA the right to host its next Davis Cup tie against Australia, which had forfeited its previous rubber on security grounds in May.

In a significant development, the ITF Board of Directors upheld AITA's appeal against the ITF Davis Cup Committee, which had suggested a draw of lot to decide the venue.

The ITF Board of Directors meeting was held in Mumbai on Wednesday and was attended by 12 directors, besides the President.

"The directors considered India's appeal and declared that Chennai was a safe venue and Australia ought to have gone to Chennai," an AITA press release said.

"The directors reversed the decision of Davis Cup Committee and gave the right to India to host the next Davis Cup tie with Australia whenever the two nations are drawn to meet each other," it added.

Tennis Australia had decided to not send its team for the Asia/Oceania final round tie which had ensured India's entry to the World Group play-offs.