Bhupathi says AITA, govt didn't back players in Pak Davis Cup furore

Former Davis Cup captain Mahesh Bhupathi on Thursday said India's tennis players were abandoned by their federation and the government when they expressed security concerns about travelling to Pakistan for a Davis Cup tie, which was eventually shifted due to security concerns.

Bhupathi also said that he still cannot get over the "hurt" caused by the All India Tennis Association's manner of sacking him but it was hardly a surprise given how the body has dealt with players in the last two decades.

"India-Pakistan is a unique scenario. Tension has been there since inception of Pakistan. No other sporting team has toured there for two decades and all of a sudden they are saying India tennis team should go, and everybody is criticising the boys for taking a stance, that was very unfair," Bhupathi said on the sidelines of an event here.

The 45-year-old was removed from the captain's position for refusing to travel to Pakistan for a Davis Cup tie on security grounds. The tie is now being ...