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[poondu]

BANGALORE, March 9: Providing some relief to the troubled All India Tennis Association, India's revolting Davis Cuppers on Sunday agreed to play under captain Leander Paes but only for the upcoming second round tie against Japan, to be held in New Delhi next month.

Revolting players - Prakash Amritraj, Rohan Bopanna and Mahesh Bhupathi - said, through a statement, there stand on Paes' captaincy remains but they are making themselves available for the crucial Japan tie as playing for the country was of "paramount importance".

Watch: Davis Cup rebels climb down

Former Davis Cup captain Vijay Amritraj read out the statement on behalf of players after the conclusion of the WTA Bangalore Open.

"Playing for the country is of paramount importance and there is no greater honour for representing one's country in every walk of life."

"With our only goal being to play for the country and with all other issues very much on the table we look forward to playing the Japan tie at home in April. And, just to reiterate, our first letter to AITA stands," the statement said.

Players added that they had discussed the issue with senior sports ambassador of the country before making themselves available for the Japan tie.

"It (letter written to AITA) was done after a lot of thought and with a heavy heart. We have had numerous conversations with India's most respected sports ambassador who had served the country for over two decades with distinction."

The tone in which Vijay Amritraj spoke, provided enough hints that the issue was far from over.

"The boys’ decision is unanimous. There is no joy in their going back. The issues needed to be addressed as the reports, mentions and opinions have been published all around the world.”

"I was really concerned and I had long discussions with them. I had series discussions with Mahesh, Prakash and Rohan," Amritraj said adding that "he has been authorised by players to speak on their behalf."

The former captain said players have agreed to play the Japan tie, and the choice of playing the role of skipper remains with Paes only.

"As for the Japan match, the players have said that they are prepared to play under him. It is left to him to sit on the chair."

On being asked that now players have a change of heart will there be togetherness among them, he replied, "All of them are tennis players. There are no issues in this. But their objection to play under him is still there and very much on the table."

Davis Cup players including Karan Rastogi had shot a letter to AITA saying they would not play under Leander as they had lost confidence in his leadership.

Rastogi had backed out of the revolt later and said he was willing to play under any captain as he wanted to concentrate on career.

AITA in its emergency executive committee meeting then formed a two-man committee to look into the matter and the selection committee decided to retain the same team for the Japan tie.

However, the game's governing body said a final decision would be arrived only after Olympics, to be held in August in Beijing, China.

http://sports.indiatimes.com/Revolt_against_Paes_put_on_hold/articleshow/2850165.cms

[dextrous]

guys like vijay are really de-stabilizing the team by being involved on behalf of players, which includes his son.

[kban1]

What a change in relationships --there was a time when V. Paes and V. Amritraj were close as were their families. leander used to refer to Vijay as Amritraj uncle --Hmmm, really sad.