I need to focus more on my on-court activities rather than off it.” That’s Karan Rastogi who, until a couple of days back, was a part of the players’ revolt against Davis Cup captain Leander Paes. It may be recalled that Prakash Amritraj, Rohan Bopanna and Mahesh Bhupathi had written to the apex body (AITA) challenging Paes’ ability as captain.

The Mumbai-based Rastogi says he has spoken to Paes about his issues and “sorted it out,” adding, “I had some issues which I discussed with the association (AITA)...something I don’t want to elaborate about, and “not playing under Paes,” was certainly not an issue with me.”

But weren’t you a party to the email dashed off by Rohan Bopanna? “I pulled out because my game was being affected. My aim is and will always be to play for the country and for that I need to play and not ponder upon who the captain is or not,” explains Rastogi.

Unwilling to be forced into a comment, Rastogi agrees that his decision had a lot to do with his parents too. “We discussed about it at large and it was decided that I play, come what may.”

Rastogi is also aware that he could be branded as a ‘fickle-minded,’ but he says he doesn’t mind the label. “Whatever be the case, I have a long way to go —I have a lot of tennis left in me and I certainly needn’t be involved in any controversy.”

Rastogi, who’s played two ‘away’ ties against Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in 2007, says the past days have been nothing but “nighmarish.” Incidentally Paes was the captain for both ties and handed Rastogi the responsibility of playing the opening day singles. Rastogi with a 0-3 W-L record since February 11, 2007 has spent a year without earning a recall.

... contd.