The Doha Asian Games off-court spat between Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, and national coach Nandan Bal’s reported involvement in the entire issue has now led to the All India Tennis Association (AITA) to decide on wholesale changes to the Davis Cup team management.

A well-placed source in the AITA told The Indian Express today: “During the AGM held at Indore earlier this month, we discussed that a change is required. Many people have been in their positions for long and we need to look at others for the top jobs now. The Davis Cup selection committee will undergo a change. We are also looking for new coaches for both Davis Cup and Fed Cup.” (Enrico Piperno is the current Fed Cup coach).

Talking about who will replace Davis Cup coach Bal, it has been reliably learnt that former India player Sandeep Kirtane has been approached by the AITA for the post. As a source put it: “Anil Khanna (AITA secretary-general) met Kirtane on Friday (January 19) and asked him about his passport details. Khanna later told Kirtane that they were planning to send him with the team to Uzbekistan.”

The source also pointed out that both Bal and Kirtane might be sent to Uzbekistan and that the change at the helm may come into effect after the February 9-11 tie. Asked if Bal’s comments in Doha went against him, the source said: “The incident definitely left a very bad taste in the mouth. The officials didn’t like it. Everyone was commenting that it was a very unprofessional thing to do. The incident made the youngsters in the team insecure.

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