New Delhi: World No.10 David Ferrer of Spain on Monday pulled out of the inaugural Champions Tennis League (CTL) due to an inflamed lower back.
“I am sorry to tell my fans in India and in Punjab that I will not be able to play the Champions Tennis League in India. Over the last six weeks, my tournament schedule has been hectic and because of the many games I’ve played, a serious inflammation in the lower back has appeared,” Ferrer said in a release.
“This prevents me from being able to compete at 100 per cent. This injury will not allow me to perform to the best of my ability as I feel pain in my back and I need 10 to 15 days to recover.”
Ferrer said he was looking forward to playing in India for the first time and hoped he could participate in the next edition.
“I was very excited to play for the Punjab Marshalls team in the Champions Tennis League but unfortunately this year is impossible. I hope I can come to India next year and be a part of the league.”
For a country like India that is deprived of top class tennis action due to lack of top-tier tournaments, organisation of the CTL will be great for the sport, says former world number one Jelena Jankovic.
The 29-year-old Serbian singles star, ranked 14, will play for ‘Delhi Dreams’ in the six-team league beginning November 17 here at DLTA Complex.
“I think the league will help promote tennis in India. There were some tournaments in India several years ago, I was in Bangalore in 2008. It is nice to have a league and get top players playing. I think the standard is great. We have a lot of big names, great champions from the past and now (present),” Jelena said from Thailand, where she is holidaying.
“I think, it’s fun and exciting to play in that part of the world. It’s a different format. I have never played something like that. I have played Fed Cup, which is different. I am really looking forward to playing in that kind of competition in front of the Indian fans,” she said.
Jelena, who became world number one in 2008 after reaching the US Open final, said there should be no doubt about the approach of the players in the league.
ATP President Chris Kermode had called Mahesh Bhupathi’s IPTL a glorified exhibitions. “I don’t think that’s the case. I think the players will give their best and it will be a great competition,” she asserted.
Talking about Sania Mirza, whom the Serbian beat in all five meetings on the WTA tour, Jelena said the Indian made a good decision last year by restricting herself to doubles only.
Jelena said Sania could have fared better in singles had she not suffered those injuries when she was in her prime.
“She is a great player and Sania has promoted tennis in India very well. In the past I have played against her in the singles and she was good. I think she could have done better (without injuries) but that’s the way it is. And I think it was a great decision because she is very successful in doubles now. It was up to her,” she said.