World number five Juan Martin Del Potro announced that he won’t be participating in any Davis Cup matches for the Argentine team this 2014 season. It’s been widely known that Del Potro is not in good terms with the Argentine tennis federation including the current team captain Martin Jaite and some players in the team, including recently retired David Nalbandian.
Del Potro has stated in the past that he’s been pressured to participate and has been portrayed to be uncooperative due to his disputes with the federation. The US Open 2009 champion has stated in interviews that he was never approached when it comes to consultation with the choice of the team captain and other crucial decision-making factors.
The last time Del Potro competed in a Davis Cup was back in 2012.
Del Potro wrote in a statement released on Monday:
“In November I wrote a letter showing my displeasure with the double standards and hypocrisy prevailing around Davis Cup. Since then, nothing has changed, but has gotten worse. Profound changes are needed to correct the mistakes that have been repeated over the years. I will not allow my name used to justify accusations that are a smoke screen. I never asked to name a captain and always respected the decisions of others, even if they have not respected me. Out of consideration for the people who follow me, who enjoy tennis, who have a memory and know what I’ve done in the Davis Cup and Olympic Games, for the sake of the silent majority who like this sport and to stay far way from insulting rivals or punish someone from their country, I will not play the Davis Cup for the rest of 2014.”
Argentina will be competing in a a World Group play-off tie in September. The team lost in the first round earlier this month to Italy 3-1.
