Sela: Davis Cup tie must be played at Ramat Hasharon

ITA approved match for Nokia Arena, saying location would be more likely to generate extra income.

By ALLON SINAI
Dudi Sela 248.88 (photo credit: AP)
Dudi Sela 248.88
(photo credit: AP)
Israel's Davis Cup star Dudi Sela called a surprise press conference on Tuesday to announce that he feels the quarterfinal tie against Russia in July must be played at the Canada Stadium in Ramat Hasharon and not at the Nokia Arena, as the Israel Tennis Association intends to. The International Tennis Federation approved what is better known as Maccabi Tel Aviv's basketball arena as the hosting venue last Thursday, after the ITA decided to move the tie with the hope of generating some extra income. "I think we have a much better chance to win if we play at our real home at Ramat Hasharon," said Sela, who indicated he would play in the tie regardless of where it will be eventually held. "I still believe the tie will be played at Ramat Hasharon. It's very important to me and to the rest of the players." The ITA said in response that it had called a meeting with all the players for Wednesday prior to Sela's announcement to explain the different considerations of moving the tie to the Nokia Arena. "Sela should have made his opinion heard in the meeting, but unfortunately he decided to take a different course of action," an ITA statement read. Also Tuesday, Andy Ram and Max Mirnyi advanced to the quarterfinals of the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, defeating Jeff Coetzee and Wesley Moodie 7-6 (4), 3-6, 10-8.