Davis Cup match under threat of cancellation as tension simmers between two nations | Tennis | Sport

India’s Davis Cup play-off clash with Pakistan may not be played at all due to simmering tension between the two nations. The All India Tennis Association (AITA) requested to move the match – which is due to be hosted by Pakistan in early February – but the proposal was rejected.Conflict has been frequent between India and Pakistan since gaining independence from British rule in 1947. Even sporting rivalries are now few and far between, with Pakistan last hosting their neighbours in a Davis Cup tie back in 1964.Their upcoming Davis Cup play-off, with the winner set to stay in World Group I for the 2024 tournament, is scheduled to begin on February 3. But India may be forced to forfeit the clash as they await government approval to travel to Pakistan.AITA secretary-general Anil Dhupar said: “The proposal is still pending with the ministry and we are awaiting a decision.”Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive tennis news.India’s top two male tennis players ruled themselves out of the trip to Pakistan last month. Sumit Nagal, ranked No. 138 in the world, reportedly asked not to be considered for selection due to the match’s grass surface.Meanwhile, No. 557-ranked Sasi Kumar Mukund cited personal reasons. The AITA discussed the matter at an Executive Committee meeting, with Dhupar releasing a strongly-worded statement.India and Pakistan were also drawn to play one another in the 2019 Davis Cup, when the tie was moved to a neutral third country – Kazakhstan – for security reasons.Pakistan players Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan subsequently ruled themselves out of the contest as a mark of protest. The 2024 Davis Cup is the 112th edition of the tournament and is due to run until late November next year.



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