Melbourne - The fate of Australia in the Davis Cup competition is likely to be decided by Wimbledon after the tennis power pulled out of what it considered a dangerous Asian zonal tie with India. Australia refused to travel to Chennai for the May 8-10 competition, citing security concerns from the country's upcoming election as as well as last year's terror attacks in the sprawling megapolis.
The International Tennis Federation in London awarded the win to India.
Australian officials are fairly confident that they will not be punished heavily by the international governing body due to the circumstances. But Tennis Australia is preparing an appeal in case of harsh sanctions.
"They have got the power to do all sorts of things, I suppose, but anything they do would be subject to the rights of appeal," said TA boss Geoff Pollard.
It is thought unlikely that the 23-time champion will be dropped into the Asia/Oceania Group II group after previously beating Thailand earlier this year.
The last time a nation refused to play a tie over political concerns was in 2004 when Denmark did not travel to Algiers over security concerns. The country was not suspended and competed in 2005.
Australia is expecting to pay a fine of around 25,000 dollars.
The ITF defended its stand of sanctioning Australia, saying security was in place in India.
"The ITF, as it does for every Davis Cup and Fed Cup tie, asked the host nation to produce a comprehensive security plan for the tie," read a statement.
