Chennai gets security clearance

After weeks of uncertainty regarding the venue for Indias home Davis Cup tie against Australia,the International Tennis Federation...

After weeks of uncertainty regarding the venue for Indias home Davis Cup tie against Australia,the International Tennis Federation (ITF) on Friday finally gave Chennai the clearance to host the third round Asia/Oceania match-up.

The ITF has confirmed that the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Asia/Oceania Zone Group I third round tie between India and Australia will take place at the SDAT Tennis Stadium in Chennai from 8-10 May. The location and venue was approved by the Davis Cup Committee following a positive report from the ITFs security consultants, said a statement on the Davis Cup website following a board meeting to discuss the issue.

Tennis Australia had written to the ITF over its concerns regarding the tie due to recent terrorist attacks in the subcontinent,and had requested a venue shift. Last week,a security consultant from the ITF,whose report would have been the basis of the subsequent decision,visited Chennai and examined the venue.

No guarantees

However,the ITF security clearance does not guarantee Australias participation,and particularly not that of former top-ranked player Lleyton Hewitt. The Australians have reportedly been unhappy with the delay taken over the decision.

We need to protect Lleyton,because being a former world No 1,hes going to be the highest-profile player there. But not only Lleyton,all the boys will have to make a decision about what they do,and whether its really worth the risk. Is there a safe place over there at the moment with the elections coming up? And a national sporting team like Australia coming? Nothing could happen,but is it really worth the risk? Hewitts coach David Drysdale was quoted as saying in Melbournes The Age a few days ago.