Davis Cupper Woodbridge condemns ITF for sticking Oz-India clash in Chennai

Melbourne, Apr.22 (ANI): Davis Cup legend Todd Woodbridge has condemned the International Tennis Federation for insisting that Australia play their Cup tie against India in Chennai.

Australia wants a neutral venue for the Asia-Oceania Group I playoff while Australian No.1 Lleyton Hewitt will not play if the tournament stays in India, reports The Age.

Tennis Australia's concerns follow last November's Mumbai terrorist attacks and the fact it would coincide with a probable unstable election period.

But the ITF announced on Saturday the playoff would go ahead as scheduled in Chennai from May 8-10 following "a positive report from the ITF's security consultants".

Woodbridge, who has played more Davis Cup ties than any other Australian, described the ITF as "completely irresponsible."

"The main thing right now in India is that there are elections underway - there's been deaths because of these elections in other parts of India, not in Chennai where this tie will be played," Woodbridge told Fairfax Radio.

"I think it's irresponsible for the International Tennis Federation to expect us as players to go there and put ourselves on the line in a very, very difficult predicament with the way their social system's running," he added.

If Tennis Australia refuses to play in India, it risks a fine and possibly a year-long expulsion from the competition. (ANI)