Nagal had opted out of the latest Davis Cup tie in opposition to Sweden, citing a again pressure. This harm had additionally compelled him to withdraw from the US Open males’s doubles competitors final month.
With no singles specialist, India misplaced 0-4 to Sweden on their residence turf.The crew, primarily composed of doubles gamers and debutants, did not win a set within the World Group I tie.
On Thursday, AITA expressed its displeasure, claiming prime gamers like Nagal, Yuki Bhambri, and Sasikumar Mukund had refused nationwide obligation.
Nagal was scheduled to play within the ATP 250 Hangzhou Open however withdrew, once more citing his 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 mentioned if he isn’t paid, he is not going to play,” Dhupar instructed PTI.
India performs solely two ties per season within the World Group I, usually in February and September.
“Let the nation resolve whether it is proper or not. Then, it’s the resolution of the federal government and everyone. The gamers are additionally paid by TOPS. And it is not that they do not get paid for enjoying the Davis Cup. They do receives a commission,” Dhupar insisted.
Dhupar was referring to the prize cash that AITA receives from the Worldwide Tennis Federation (ITF) for Davis Cup participation, which is distributed amongst crew members.
For a World Group I tie, AITA receives round Rs 30 lakh, of which 70 per cent is distributed amongst taking part gamers. The remaining 30 per cent is stored for administrative bills by the nationwide federation.
The prize cash decreases for decrease group ties.
“No different participant requested for extra cash over and above their share of the ITF prize cash.”
A former Indian Davis Cupper confirmed that there have been previous cases the place main gamers requested for cash to play Davis Cup and people calls for had been accepted.
Nagal didn’t deny AITA’s declare. He defended his stance by means of a press release on social media.
“Relating to compensation, I need to make clear that it’s normal apply 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 might not prefer to take pleasure in any hypothesis about this.”
AITA was displeased that Nagal skipped Davis Cup by citing harm however appeared to get better in time for the Hangzhou Open. Nagal withdrew from the ATP 250 match two days after AITA’s assertion.
Nagal emphasised the dignity of representing his nation.
“It was a tough resolution to withdraw from the Davis Cup…Nonetheless, after consulting with my medical crew, it grew to become clear that competing whereas carrying an harm couldn’t solely jeopardize my well being but additionally adversely influence the crew’s possibilities.”
“I imagine it’s higher for the crew and for the nation to have somebody at 100 per cent fairly than risking additional harm and probably disrupting the match. I had knowledgeable AITA nicely upfront about my lack of ability to take part.”
It was realized that Captain Rohit Rajpal took Nagal’s proposal to the AITA Govt Committee. After preliminary reluctance, the committee 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 ended with out progress.
In the course of the tie, Nagal criticized AITA on social media, stating that many crew members had been there solely to get pleasure from junkets.
He justified his break additional.
“In skilled sports activities, harm administration is a posh science. Typically, only a few days of relaxation and focused rehabilitation could make the distinction between aggravating an harm and being match to play once more.”
Nagal reaffirmed his dedication to representing the nation.
“I sit up for future alternatives to put on the nationwide colors and make my nation proud, each on and off the courtroom.”
Nagal had additionally skipped the tie in opposition to Pakistan earlier this yr, stating that the grass courtroom floor didn’t swimsuit his model of play in addition to laborious courts do.
Skipper Rajpal faces criticism on social media, with many questioning his suitability as Davis Cup captain.
Rajpal was appointed captain in 2019, changing Mahesh Bhupathi, who hesitated to journey to Pakistan as a result of safety considerations.
A crew official famous that receiving cost like cricketers is suitable, however tennis gamers must also be keen to undergo a variety 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 are additionally funded by the federal government by means of TOPS,” he asserted.
