New Delhi: Although members of India's Davis Cup squad have agreed to play under captain Leander Paes in next month's tie against Japan, former Indian Davis Cup captain Vijay Amritraj believes that isn't necessarily the end of all problems. In an exclusive interview to CNN-IBN's Himanshu Singhal, Amritraj says the onus is on Paes to repair the damage.
Vijay Amritraj: Yes, there is obviously going to be some sort of an irksome feeling perhaps as we get into it, but at the end of the day everyone knows the goal. I mean, Leander looks at it and sees what's best for the country, clearly as the boys did, and they've come forward to play.
Leander will clearly look at it and say what's best for the country and how best to make it work. So at the end of the day, the end result should be India's three points when they play Japan.
Himanshu Singhal: What according to you is the solution of the matter?
Vijay Amritraj: Well, again, it's conversations. I think if you don't talk, then the solution is never going to happen. So I think it involves everyone and they will sit down and talk, and if they need my help, I will come in to it.
Himanshu Singhal: What will your suggestion to Leander be as far as this issue is concerned?
Vijay Amritraj: Leander has served the country so well. He's grown up among us for five years, he won junior Wimbledon with us, and we have always had a great fondness for him. So there's no question of his thought process being any different. His thought process clearly in this particular case will also be making sure that India comes out on top.
I don't think there's any other issue at stake. So as far as Leander is concerned, as I know that he will play a mentor's role as far as the boys are concerned, that's exactly the way to react. So when he comes in there and he looks at the team and says 'these guys are great to step forward with and play.' He will do what's right.
Himanshu Singhal: What needs to be done so that this sort of an ugly situation never repeats itself?
Vijay Amritraj: Well, we have never really got into a difficult kind of a situation before, and I think that the important thing is for the All India Tennis Association, as they have done in the past, Anil (Khanna) is a very communicative kind of a person, which is terrific. I have very good, serious chats with him, sometimes we agree, and sometimes we disagree, which is the way it should be.
So I don't think communication should be a problem whatsoever with the AITA. I just feel very strongly that we have got a good set of boys who are looking to bring us up in to the (Davis Cup) world group, and it's very important for the Association to understand their needs and requirements because, at the end of the day, you have got to give them every piece of equipment, every piece of mental calmness that can put them in a situation where they go out and play their best tennis and do all of the talking on the court, so that we are in fact in the world group.
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