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 “normal observe” for athletes to be paid for his or her companies.
Nagal had opted out of the current Davis Cup tie in opposition to Sweden, citing a again pressure that additionally pressured 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 group acquired a 0-4 hammering. Filled with doubles gamers and debutants, the group 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 situation.
“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 stated if he isn’t paid, he is not going to play,” Dhupar advised PTI.
Largely restricted to World Group I, India play solely two ties in a single season — in February and September.
“Let the nation resolve whether it is proper or not. Then, it’s the choice of the federal government and all people. The gamers are additionally paid by TOPS. And it isn’t that they do not get paid for enjoying 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 group members.
For a World Group I tie, AITA will get round ₹30 lakh and 70% of it’s distributed among the many collaborating gamers whereas the remaining 30% is saved by the nationwide federation to handle administrative expenditure.
The prize cash goes down for a decrease group tie.
“No different participant requested for extra cash over and above their share of the ITF prize cash.” A former India Davis Cupper confirmed to PTI that there have been cases prior to now 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 via a press release on social media.
“Relating to compensation, I wish to make clear that it’s normal 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 prefer to bask in any hypothesis about this,” he wrote in his assertion.
AITA was livid that Nagal selected to skip Davis Cup final week by citing harm 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 stated representing the nation was at all times “a privilege and an honour that I maintain within the highest regard.” “It was a troublesome choice to withdraw from the Davis Cup…Nevertheless, after consulting with my medical group, it grew to become clear that competing whereas carrying an harm couldn’t solely jeopardize my well being but in addition adversely affect the group’s probabilities.
“I imagine it’s higher for the group and for the nation to have somebody at 100% quite than risking additional harm and doubtlessly disrupting the match. I had knowledgeable AITA properly prematurely about my incapability to take part,” he wrote, defending his choice to tug out.
It has been learnt that captain Rohit Rajpal had taken Nagal’s proposal to the AITA Govt Committee which, after preliminary reluctance, agreed to pay him however requested the captain to renegotiate the determine.
Nevertheless, 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, harm administration is a fancy science. Generally, just some days of relaxation and focused rehabilitation could make the distinction between aggravating an harm and being match to play once more.” Nagal stated he was dedicated to the nation.
“I look ahead to future alternatives to put on the nationwide colors and make my nation proud, each on and off the courtroom.” Nagal had skipped the tie in opposition to Pakistan too early this 12 months, conveying to the group administration that the competition was being performed on grass courtroom and his recreation 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 instead of Mahesh Bhupathi, who was reluctant to journey to Pakistan citing safety issues.
A group official stated, there was nothing mistaken in getting paid like cricketers however then tennis gamers must also come settle for coming via a range course of.
“They need contracts however do they play Nationals? Do they arrive to the nationwide facet via choice trials like shooters and badminton gamers? Tennis gamers receives a commission via Davis Cup prize cash and in addition funded by the federal government via TOPS,” he asserted.
Printed – September 20, 2024 02:10 am IST
