The Hindu : Sport : Leander Paes pulls out of Davis Cup

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Leander Paes pulls out of Davis Cup

Special Correspondent

— Photo: AFP

Leander Paes.

NEW DELHI: The Indian aspirations for a Davis Cup World Group berth suffered a jolt as Leander Paes pulled out of the World Group play-off tie to be played on indoor hard courts at Johannesburg, South Africa, from September 18 to 20, with a shoulder injury.

Leander had managed to win the doubles title apart from competing in the mixed doubles final with the sore shoulder and a string of other related injuries at the US Open.

“I hate to miss Davis Cup but my doctor has told me that it would take at least two weeks for my arm to recover. I do not want to go into a tie as crucial as this in the current shape, as I would just be a liability for the team. I am sad that it has come to this but my injuries allow me no other option,” said Leander.

Confirming the news in a press release, the secretary general of the All India Tennis Association (AITA), Anil Khanna, said that Leander had informed him about his non-availability on Tuesday morning.

“Leander will be missed as he has been a great crusader for the Davis Cup and Indian tennis,” he said.

The five member team will shrink to four members, and Rohan Bopanna is expected to do the doubles duty as well with Mahesh Bhupathi.

Yuki Bhambri, the world No.1 junior, who lost in the quarterfinals of the US Open junior event, flew straight from New York for the Davis Cup tie, while Mahesh Bhupathi has been scheduled to pass through India.

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