Leander’s playing will depend on doctor’s advice

Minotra said that "in case there was some problem with Leander or Mahesh, Nitin, the National Hardcourt Champion, would be a good choice on Delhi’s decoturf, being used to it. The final choice, though, would obviously lie with the captain. "

Nitin may just get that chance. Though Leander has informed the All India Tennis Association (AITA) of his desire to play, his actual participation in the Cup will ultimately depend on two things: How much of a strain the World Doubles Championship (from December 13-17 in Bangalore) will put on his knees and second, his doctor’s advice.

The Indian ace is currently at his residence in Orlando, Florida, undergoing treatment on his knees. According to father Dr Vece Paes, the constant strain due to continously playing hard singles and doubles matches on the indoor courts of the European circuit had resulted in Leander developing patellar tendonitis (in both knees). Leander is in rehabilitation at the moment and has not yet been allowed to actively compete by his doctors. However, he would still be playing a warm-up event in the US the week before the World Doubles, before flying in to Bangalore on the 10th or 11th of December.

If his doctors advice against the Asia Cup, he may fly back to Orlando from Bangalore. Two days separate the two events.

While the AITA says Mahesh has committed to playing, Mahesh himself said in an e-mail from New York that he was yet to confirm. If Mahesh does take part as per the plan, it will have to be seen whether he plays the singles or just the doubles. He gets into Bangalore this Sunday.

Ramesh said from Chennai that Leander and Mahesh had both conveyed to him that they were keen on playing the Asia Cup, so it would have to be seen how things go. He did not comment on the team selection (in which he was not involved). He said that while he has been in touch with Nitin and Fazal, he has not heard from Harsh recently. The latter is studying in the US.

Meanwhile, on the exclusion of long-time Davis Cupper Prahlad Srinath from the team, Minotra said the selection committe had "considered Srinath" and been in touch with him, but because of an injury due to which he had not played the circuit, Srinath’s name did not find place in the final five nominations.

Srinath, contacted in his native Mysore where he has been training after developing tendonitis in his right tibia (the bone below the knee) said he had not been contacted by anyone from the selection committee. "I had been sent a mail by the AITA a month-and-a-half back asking why I wasn’t playing the Futures. I said I was hurt, but would be getting back to practice in a week." He said he had also received an e-mail from the AITA about "five or six days ago" asking if he would be available for the Asia Cup. "I immediately replied saying that I was fit and would be available," he said.

The women’s team expectedly, has Nirupama Vaidyanathan and Manisha Malhotra, while Sai Jayalakshmy and Rushmi Chakravarthi have also made it to the squad. Teenager Shruti Dhawan, who has made a tremendous comeback after battling back problems has been named as first reserve. Nandan Bal will captain the team.

Though there was some confusion about the state of Manisha’s shoulder injury, due to which she withdrew from the $25,000 event in Delhi early this month, Minotra said she had played with Bal a couple of weeks ago and he had declared she was okay.

Manisha’s father said from Mumbai that Manisha was expected back in the country within the next 10 days and was fine. "Her racquet was very heavy and that was a strain. We have reduced that weight from 335 grams to 278 grams. She has also started doing yoga regularly and is on a regimen she picked up in Australia during the Olympics."