Australia will not go to Chennai for the Davis Cup tie against India next month due to security concerns, Tennis Australia said on Saturday. Australia were told by the International Tennis Federation on Friday that they must play their Davis Cup in India despite their objections on security grounds. Australia had appealed against the decision to play the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Group I third round tie in Chennai from May 8-10, but the ITF said they were satisfied with the security conditions in the Indian city. 'We asked for the tie to be moved because we have major security concerns for the players, particularly during the (Indian) election,' Tennis Australia president Geoff Pollard said in a statement.
'The ITF decision has left us with no other option. We cannot send the team. It is extremely disappointing. 'It would be irresponsible of us to send our players into an area of such high risk.
'Davis Cup is very important to us but some things are more important than tennis,' Pollard said. Australia risks a one-year suspension from the competition.