Davis Cup tie in Lucknow to be played indoor
LUCKNOW It would be a redletter day in the history of tennis in India when Uttar Pradesh Tennis Association (UPTA) holds the World Group 2 Davis Cup qualifier tie between hosts India and Morocco this September in the indoor facility of the Ekana Sportz City here.
Never before has a tennis event been held in an indoor facility anywhere in the country and the UPTA is all set to make it happen, especially after successfully conducting the ITF World Tennis Tour Tournament at the newly developed outdoor facility at Ekana Sportz City in Lucknow this March.
A team of All India Tennis Association comprising Indian Davis Cup’s chief coach Zeeshan Ali and AITA’s head of officiating Puneet Gupta on Tuesday visited the facility and almost “agreed” for this endeavour.
“The facility is perfect for the event, and it would be the first time when Davis Cup matches in India would be played on indoor surface,” said Ali, also a former Indian Davis Cupper soon after his visit to the Ekana Sportz City which has a seating capacity of around 3,000 people.
“Much would depend on the laying on the tennis surface on the wooden courts. Right now, I don’t know how much time it would take. I am going to submit my report to AITA for further course of action,” said Ali, who also praised the international standard facility of tennis just outside the indoor hall.
“The already existing facility in the open would require a few amendments as there is no facility for fans as well as the size of the courts is not good enough for hosting Davis Cup matches,” an official of the Uttar Pradesh Tennis Association said on Tuesday on condition of anonymity.
“We will be holding a Davis Cup tie here in Lucknow after 23 years as it was in 2000 when Leander Paes-led India had won 3-2 against Lebanon but it was at the grassy courts of the Awadh Gymkhana,” he added.
However, UPTA chief and additional chief secretary (sports), Uttar Pradesh, Navneet Sehgal said in principle a sum of Rs 20 crore had already been earmarked by the state government for the Davis Cup matches to be played on September 16 and 17 here.
“After conducting the ITF event this March, we were looking for the Davis Cup matches and had already requested the AITA for the same,” he said, adding, “Whatever is required for the conduct of the matches in the indoor hall, UPTA will make all possible efforts.”