Sydney - Multiple Davis Cup champion Australia faces unprecedented sanctions including a temporary ban from the competition after refusing Saturday to send a team into what it considers a danger zone. Australia declared Saturday it would boycott next month's Davis Cup tie against India in Chennai over security concerns after the London-based International Tennis Federation (ITF) rejected its request for a neutral venue like Singapore.
The ITF insisted the May 8-10 matches go ahead, warning Tennis Australia (TA) of sanctions if its team stayed home.
TA head Geoff Pollard said it was "unreasonable" to expect the team to play in India during elections.
"We asked for the tie to be moved because we have major security concerns for the players, particularly during the election," Pollard said. "The ITF decision has left us with no other option - we cannot send the team. It is extremely disappointing."
Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald also criticized the ITF, saying "some thought must be given to the players' safety."
"I believe they say the [Indian] election is not a cause for concern, and that an ATP tournament is held in January shows it is safe to play in Chennai," Fitzgerald said.
"So what about the fact that dozens of people are being killed along the campaign trail of the election? A train was hijacked this week, but that does not alter their thoughts?
"The ATP event involved no national teams and was held three months prior to the election. This decision makes no sense. We have worked so hard to get back in to World Group contention, to have it snatched away like this is gut-wrenching," he said.
Pollard demanded a security cordon for his players, "reasonably close to what you would give to a head of state."
Australia said its team, led by Lleyton Hewitt, is disappointed and is hoping for a change of heart from the IFT.
Australian sports teams have a reputation for being easily spooked by security concerns.
After the 2005 London bus and train bombings, rugby players urged administrators to cancel tours to Britain for fear of putting themselves in danger.
