The All India Tennis Affiliation on Thursday (September 19, 2024) claimed that Sumit Nagal demanded an annual charge of $50,000 to play Davis Cup ties for India however the nation’s prime singles participant defended himself, saying it’s “commonplace observe” for athletes to be paid for his or her companies.
Nagal had opted out of the latest Davis Cup tie towards Sweden, citing a again pressure that additionally compelled him out of the US Open males’s doubles competitors final month.
It was India’s finest probability to beat Sweden in their very own yard however competing and not using a singles specialist, the workforce acquired a 0-4 hammering. Filled with doubles gamers and debutants, the workforce couldn’t even win a set within the World Group I tie.
AITA, on Tuesday, made its displeasure clear by saying that the nation’s prime gamers, together with Nagal, Yuki Bhambri and Sasikumar Mukund, refused nationwide responsibility.
Nagal had entered the ATP 250 Hangzhou Open and was scheduled to play on Thursday however withdrew citing the identical again problem.
“You inform me why ought to a participant be asking for cash to play for the nation. This can be a huge query. He had demanded an annual charge of $50,000 (approx 45 lakh) and mentioned if he’s not paid, he won’t play,” Dhupar informed PTI.
Largely restricted to World Group I, India play solely two ties in a single season — in February and September.
“Let the nation determine whether it is proper or not. Then, it’s the determination of the federal government and all people. The gamers are additionally paid by TOPS. And it is not that they do not get paid for taking part in the Davis Cup. They do receives a commission,” Dhupar insisted.
The AITA head was referring to the prize cash that AITA receives from the Worldwide Tennis Federation (ITF) for Davis Cup participation and distributes amongst workforce members.
For a World Group I tie, AITA will get round ₹30 lakh and 70% of it’s distributed among the many taking part gamers whereas the remaining 30% is stored by the nationwide federation to handle administrative expenditure.
The prize cash goes down for a decrease group tie.
“No different participant requested for added cash over and above their share of the ITF prize cash.” A former India Davis Cupper confirmed to PTI that there have been situations previously when the nation’s main gamers requested for cash to play Davis Cup and people calls for had been accepted.
Nagal didn’t deny the AITA declare as he put his protection by means of a press release on social media.
“Relating to compensation, I wish to make clear that it’s commonplace observe in skilled sports activities for athletes to be compensated for his or her participation in occasions, even when representing their nation.
“This isn’t about private acquire. My discussions with AITA and the Davis Cup Captain are confidential and I’d not wish to take pleasure in any hypothesis about this,” he wrote in his assertion.
AITA was livid that Nagal selected to skip Davis Cup final week by citing damage however “recovered miraculously” to compete in Hangzhou Open. Nagal withdrew from the ATP 250 event, two days after AITA got here out with its assertion.
Nagal mentioned representing the nation was all the time “a privilege and an honour that I maintain within the highest regard.” “It was a troublesome determination to withdraw from the Davis Cup…Nonetheless, after consulting with my medical workforce, it turned clear that competing whereas carrying an damage couldn’t solely jeopardize my well being but in addition adversely influence the workforce’s possibilities.
“I imagine it’s higher for the workforce and for the nation to have somebody at 100% somewhat than risking additional damage and probably disrupting the match. I had knowledgeable AITA effectively upfront about my incapacity to take part,” he wrote, defending his determination to drag out.
It has been learnt that captain Rohit Rajpal had taken Nagal’s proposal to the AITA Government Committee which, after preliminary reluctance, agreed to pay him however requested the captain to renegotiate the determine.
Nonetheless, earlier than an settlement may very well be reached, Nagal withdrew from the tie and the dialogue on the matter ended with out progress.
Nagal, through the tie, criticised AITA on social media platforms, saying a lot of them had been there simply to get pleasure from junkets.
He additional justified his break.
“In skilled sports activities, damage administration is a posh science. Typically, only a few days of relaxation and focused rehabilitation could make the distinction between aggravating an damage and being match to play once more.” Nagal mentioned he was dedicated to the nation.
“I stay up for future alternatives to put on the nationwide colors and make my nation proud, each on and off the courtroom.” Nagal had skipped the tie towards Pakistan too early this yr, conveying to the workforce administration that the competition was being performed on grass courtroom and his sport was extra suited to the laborious surfaces.
Skipper Rajpal can also be being criticised on social media with many questioning his credentials to be a Davis Cup captain.
Rajpal was appointed captain in 2019 rather than Mahesh Bhupathi, who was reluctant to journey to Pakistan citing safety issues.
A workforce official mentioned, there was nothing flawed in getting paid like cricketers however then tennis gamers must also come settle for coming by means of a range course of.
“They need contracts however do they play Nationals? Do they arrive to the nationwide aspect by means of choice trials like shooters and badminton gamers? Tennis gamers receives a commission by means of Davis Cup prize cash and in addition funded by the federal government by means of TOPS,” he asserted.
Printed – September 20, 2024 02:10 am IST
