Bopanna unhappy after exclusion from Davis Cup team
Rohan Bopanna has expressed his disappointment towards All India Tennis Federation (AITA) as he was not selected for the upcoming Davis Cup tie against New Zealand. Bopanna, India's top-ranked doubles player said that he had informed about his availability for the tie after being asked by AITA, but was not selected in the team. He also said it wasn't properly communicated to him either.
The All India Tennis Association is the governing body for tennis in India. Headquartered at the R. K. Khanna Tennis Stadium in New Delhi, Anil Khanna is the president of the association. Over the years, the AITA has been a part of many controversies like selection of coach for India's Davis Cup team, selection of team and the appointment of the captain.
Rohan Bopanna is India's top ranked doubles tennis player, he is ranked 28th in the world. The 36-year old made his Davis Cup debut in 2002 and has reached a career high ranking of three in July 2013. He represented India in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, participating in the doubles event partnering with Mahesh Bhupathi, Leander Paes and Sania Mirza.
On 22 December, the AITA announced the Davis Cup team for the upcoming Group Stage clash against New Zealand in February. Leander Paes, Saketh Myneni, Ramkumar Ramanathan, Yuki Bhambri and Prajnesh Gunneswaran have been selected for the tie.
Stressing on the need for a better selection system, Rohan Bopanna said, "All around the world, it is the ranking which is sole criteria for selection and that should be the case in India also. It makes thing simple for everyone."
