9 Mar 2010

Tennis NZ doesn't want to play in Pakistan

7:32 am on 9 March 2010

Tennis New Zealand wants their Davis Cup tie against Pakistan moved from the South Asian country because of terrorism fears.

New Zealand won their Asia-Oceania zone group two tie against Sri Lanka 3-2 in Colombo at the weekend and are now due to face Pakistan in a semi-final in Pakistan in July.

But security fears mean Tennis New Zealand wants the tie moved to New Zealand or a neutral venue.

Events and Operations Manager Tracy hall says they've spoke to the International Tennis Federation last December when the draw came out and they said they would not review the situation until both Pakistan and New Zealand got through the first round.

Hall says they've emailed the ITF asking about the process and what they need to do to have it reviewed.

Hall was unsure whether the Pakistanis would be prepared to give up home court advantage.

Foreign sports teams have shunned Pakistan since an attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in March last year.

A cricket Test series between New Zealand and Pakistan scheduled to be played in Pakistan last year was moved to New Zealand and a one-day series was played in the United Arab Emirates.