India’s Fed Cup matches shifted out of China, Sania Mirza doubtful

Concerned for its players’ health due to a medical emergency in China, the All India Tennis Association (AITA) had written to the ITF, requesting the world governing body to consider either shifting the venue or postponing the tournament, originally scheduled to be held in Dongguan from February 4.

After rejecting their request twice, the ITF finally intimated AITA on Sunday afternoon that matches have been shifted out of China.

“The ITF has informed us that matches have been shifted to Kazakhstan,”AITA Secretary General Hironmoy Chatterjee said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has warned that the spread of a deadly new virus is accelerating and the country is facing a “grave situation”.

The coronavirus has killed at least 56 people and infected almost 2,000 since its discovery in the city of Wuhan.

“I am happy that better sense has prevailed. The health of our players is a priority. I am really relieved. The players were very jittery to travel to China,” India’s Fed Cup captain Vishal Uppal said.

“Twice, the ITF wrote back to us that the tie will go ahead as planned. It had kept everyone on the team worried. We can play freely now.”

India will compete with China, Indonesia, Korea, Chinese Taipei and Uzbekistan in the Asia/Oceania Group I contest.

However, the Indian team is most likely to travel to Kazakhstan without Sania, who was forced to retire mid-way into her women’s doubles first round at theAustralian Open due to a calf injury.

“We are monitoring. We will decide what to do in a few days,” said Sania’s father Imran Mirza, who also informed that Sania has been advised two to three weeks’ rest due to a tear in her right calf. Sania, returning to circuit aftera 27-month maternity break, had suffered an injury when she was preparing forher return.

She won the Hobart International with partner Nadiia Kichenok and probably aggravated the injury during her triumphant run.

“If Sania is not in our ranks, it will be a huge loss for us as a team. We want to do well. I have full faith in our players. She had told me that the calf looks bad. Let’s see,” added Uppal.

Sania had returned to the Indian Fed Cup team after four years.

This Fed Cup holds significance for Sania since not competing will make her ineligible to compete at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.

For Sania to be eligible to represent India at the Tokyo Games, it is must for her to play in 2020 Fed Cup.