ITF rejects Pakistan’s appeal
Country to keep pursuing Davis Cup case despite decision.
The ITF Davis Cup committee announced that New Zealand will stay as winners and will now face Philippines in the third round in September. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
KARACHI:
Pakistan officials and players were left disappointed after the International Tennis Federation (ITF) rejected the country’s appeal to organise a rematch of the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group II tie against New Zealand that took place in Myanmar.
The ITF Davis Cup committee announced that New Zealand, who were originally awarded the tie 4-1 after the referee found the court conditions ‘unplayable’, will stay as winners and will now face Philippines in the third round in September.
Pakistan were sanctioned since, as the ‘hosts’, it was their duty to ensure proper playing conditions and the country’s tennis federation did not organise the tie to the required standards, according to the ITF.
“The committee noted that the poor quality of the original match court led the referee to designate the practice court as the match court,” said the ITF. “Following the deterioration of the second court, specifically during the second match, the referee determined that this court was now unplayable and a risk to player safety. The referee also deemed that the court would not become playable in the next 24 hours due to its poor condition, and awarded the tie to New Zealand.”
The decision disappointed the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) that claims to have spent Rs4 million in arranging the tie. Pakistan, who were looking to take advantage being the hosts, specifically arranged for grass courts that could work to the players’ advantage. However, the much-awaited tie soon turned to be a nightmare as, despite taking a 1-0 lead, the match was awarded to New Zealand.
Pakistan protested against Sri Lankan referee Asitha Attyagalla’s decision, before filing an appeal with the ITF. The rejection of the appeal has now left Pakistan with a final option of filing a petition with the ITF Board of Directors against both decisions.
‘Fight to go on’
PTF President Kaleem Imam said the decision is disappointing but the fight will go on.
“I am sad and hurt at the decision,” Imam told The Express Tribune. “But we will now appeal with the ITF Board of Directors. We will also make an effort to personally visit and explain our position.”
Pakistan number one Aqeel Khan, who won the opening singles rubber to give his side the 1-0 lead, was also left ruing a missed chance of going through to the next round. “The New Zealand players tried to destroy the surface during the first match and later in the second as well,” said Aqeel. “Attyagalla even warned them not to do so. For now, I’ve lost hope, and it’s obvious that the ITF would side with their official. They wouldn’t admit that he was incompetent.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 2nd, 2013.
Pakistan officials and players were left disappointed after the International Tennis Federation (ITF) rejected the country’s appeal to organise a rematch of the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group II tie against New Zealand that took place in Myanmar.
The ITF Davis Cup committee announced that New Zealand, who were originally awarded the tie 4-1 after the referee found the court conditions ‘unplayable’, will stay as winners and will now face Philippines in the third round in September.
Pakistan were sanctioned since, as the ‘hosts’, it was their duty to ensure proper playing conditions and the country’s tennis federation did not organise the tie to the required standards, according to the ITF.
“The committee noted that the poor quality of the original match court led the referee to designate the practice court as the match court,” said the ITF. “Following the deterioration of the second court, specifically during the second match, the referee determined that this court was now unplayable and a risk to player safety. The referee also deemed that the court would not become playable in the next 24 hours due to its poor condition, and awarded the tie to New Zealand.”
The decision disappointed the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) that claims to have spent Rs4 million in arranging the tie. Pakistan, who were looking to take advantage being the hosts, specifically arranged for grass courts that could work to the players’ advantage. However, the much-awaited tie soon turned to be a nightmare as, despite taking a 1-0 lead, the match was awarded to New Zealand.
Pakistan protested against Sri Lankan referee Asitha Attyagalla’s decision, before filing an appeal with the ITF. The rejection of the appeal has now left Pakistan with a final option of filing a petition with the ITF Board of Directors against both decisions.
‘Fight to go on’
PTF President Kaleem Imam said the decision is disappointing but the fight will go on.
“I am sad and hurt at the decision,” Imam told The Express Tribune. “But we will now appeal with the ITF Board of Directors. We will also make an effort to personally visit and explain our position.”
Pakistan number one Aqeel Khan, who won the opening singles rubber to give his side the 1-0 lead, was also left ruing a missed chance of going through to the next round. “The New Zealand players tried to destroy the surface during the first match and later in the second as well,” said Aqeel. “Attyagalla even warned them not to do so. For now, I’ve lost hope, and it’s obvious that the ITF would side with their official. They wouldn’t admit that he was incompetent.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 2nd, 2013.