India vs Togo, Davis Cup: India feels Nagal, Bhambri absence ahead of crucial tie, says skipper Rajpal

India vs Togo, Davis Cup: India feels Nagal, Bhambri absence ahead of crucial tie, says skipper Rajpal

Standing on the cusp of World Group 1, the Indian Davis Cup team is cautiously confident of getting the better of Togo over the weekend. And while the players available for the tie are capable enough, captain Rohit Rajpal could not escape questions on the absent ones at the pre-draw media interaction on Thursday.

India are without Sumit Nagal and Yuki Bhambri and Rajpal, admitting the team missed them, also tried to keep the doors open for any future discussions. “We certainly miss our No. 1 singles and doubles players. Both are good guys and whatever differences they have, I tried to reach out and sort them out before this tie. I could not do it but going forward, I am confident we will be able to and have them back playing for us.

“But it’s a complex issue. Professional tennis is brutal, players are away from home and travelling week after week and we need to be a little more sensitive to these guys, need to understand their needs. We have already come a long way and they have done great service for India in the past, I don’t see why they won’t do it again,” he insisted.

Asked about Togo, Rajpal was circumspect. “They are pretty good, we were a little surprised to be honest. Normally you see Europeans play a certain way but these guys, they go over the ball, go under and volley well so it will be a good match.”

His Togo counterpart Ali Agnamba tried to keep expectations down. “As a tennis player, you approach every game the same way, you try to compete at your best and I think that’s how these guys play. We know India is a tough opponent but we are very confident. I thought it would be a lot hotter but it’s not,” Agnamba said.

Thomas Setodji, the only Togolese player to have a ranking on the ATP Tour, was more forthcoming. “I see a lot of Indians on the Tour and I know it will be tough, especially doubles. It’s sports, one human against another. You can be very good one day and very bad the next. When you enter the court thinking you can win, you can but if you enter thinking you can’t, you have lost already,” he declared.