Bopanna refuses to comment on Davis Cup lads

Bangalore: Davis Cup discard Rohan Bopanna on Thursday declined to comment on India`s chances in the upcoming tie against New Zealand in the Davis Cup.

"I do not want to make any comments on Davis Cup," Bopana replied at the launch of SAT Sports Academy here when reporters asked him about India`s chances against New Zealand in Davis Cup starting tomorrow. Asked does he has some words of encouragement at least for young Indian players facing New Zealand challenge in Davis Cup, Bopanna said he would not be answering any questions pertaining to Davis Cup at this point of time. Last month, the All India Tennis Association (AITA) had dropped Bopanna and his partner Mahesh Bhupathi from the the Davis Cup team. Bhupathi and Bopanna courted controversy ahead of the London Olympics when they refused to play with Paes and insisted on being paired together for the men`s doubles event. Their challenge fell in the quarterfinals as none of the Indian pair returned with a medal from the Games. AITA has blooded youngsters like Yuki Bhambri, Vishnu Vardhan, Saketh Myneni, Divij Sharan, Sanam Singh and Sri Ram Balaji to play Davis Cup matches against New Zealand. On upcoming tournaments, Bopanna said he would participate along with Bhupathi in the men`s doubles event of China Open in Beijing and Shanghai Masters, before playing at the London Masters. The preparations for the upcoming tournaments is going good and start practising again next week, Bopanna said. "I have been only doing lot of fitness training in last two weeks," he said. PTI