Fed: Aust boycott of Indian tennis venue matter for sport: Smith

AAP General News (Australia)
04-25-2009
Fed: Aust boycott of Indian tennis venue matter for sport: Smith

Foreign Minister STEPHEN SMITH says Australia's boycott of next month's Tennis Davis
Cup tie in India is a matter for the individual sporting body.

The International Tennis Federation has rejected Australia's request for a neutral
venue for the May 8-10 tie.

Mr SMITH says Tennis Australia has made it's decision after seeking advice from the
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Tennis Australia says it's unreasonable to expect the Australian team to travel to
Chennai in the midst of elections .. which has created an unstable situation .. which
has already seen several people killed.

Australia's boycott of next month's tie is expected to spell the end of LLEYTON HEWITT's
stellar Davis Cup career.

AAP RTV saj/sw

KEYWORD: TENNIS SMITH (CANBERRA)

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