Zwolle (The Netherlands), Sept 18: The Dutch Davis Cup squad, which takes on India here at the weekend, were in mourning after the death of one of the country's top tennis bosses. Cees Van Veen, who used to be the manager of squad member Raemon Sluiter, died on Tuesday of a heart attack at the age of 65.
Van Geen also worked for a long time with former Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek who has since retired through injury.
Despite the tragedy, Sluiter said he still intends to play in the three-day Davis Cup world group tie, which starts tomorrow, if called upon by captain Tjerk Bogstra.
"But if Cees was to be buried at the weekend, then my place would be with him. He meant everything to me," said Sluiter who would probably play in the doubles on Saturday with the singles places going to Sjeng Schalken and French open runner-up Martin Verkerk.
John Van Lottum makes up the four-man squad for the tie in which the winners will contest the world group in 2004 while the losers will be condemned to zonal competition.
Bureau Report