Left on the sidelines after AITA refused to meet their demands, Yuki Bhambri said it was painful to see India lose against Korea in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I tie, here today.
Bhambri, who was one of the rebel tennis players to have revolted against the AITA, said they would have played the match only if the All India Tennis Association (AITA) had accepted all their demands in writing.
“We were ready to play if AITA had given us in writing that it will accept all our demands. We have been in touch with each other but we have not received anything in writing from AITA on our demands,” said Bhambri, who had visited the RK Khanna Tennis Stadium here to watch the India-Korea tie.
“It is odd to sit in the stands and watch the match. This is the first time I am coming to the stadium and sitting in the stands,” he added.
Eleven players, led by Somdev Devvarman, had withdrawn from the ongoing Davis Cup tie after giving a five point charter of demand that included change of captain, coach and physiotherapist, besides a revised agreement for the distribution of Davis Cup prize money.
Bhambri wondered why cannot AITA accept their demands.
“The question is why can’t the AITA take the initiative and sort it out. Who doesn’t want to play for the Davis Cup...it hurts when your country loses. We were forced to take a stand... we are sticking to it. It is baffling that AITA can’t agree to concede our legitimate demands,” he said.
“Unfortunately, we are losing out as we are the ones who play for the country, not them,” said Bhambri.
However, Bhambri was still hopeful that things will get sorted out when AITA’s executive committee meets on Sunday.
