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Rastogi backs out of Paes revolt
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February 26, 2008 11:11 IST

The players' revolt against India's Davis Cup captain Leander Paes [Images] seems to be falling apart, with Karan Rastogi [Images] backing out of it, saying he has sorted out issues with his skipper and is willing to play under him.

"It's about time. After looking at personal things and speaking to the federation, I have sorted out all the issues with Leander," Rastogi said.

"Basically, I am willing to play under any captain. Playing for the country is a matter of pride and that comes before any personal ambition," he added.

Rastogi, Mahesh Bhupathi [Images], Rohan Bopanna and Prakash Amritraj, in a joint-letter, wrote to the All India Tennis Association, saying they will not play under Paes. The quartet demanded that a non-playing captain be appointed for the upcoming Davis Cup tie against Japan [Images] in April.

Rastogi refused to elaborate why he first chose to be a part of the revolt and said he pulled out of it as it was affecting his game.

"I am out of it. I discussed it with my parents� this is the end of the story but I am not going to get into details ... how, when and why it happened," he said.

"Obviously there were some issues, otherwise I would not have signed the letter but I am the smallest guy in this issue. Everyone has his own ways ... it was affecting my game and I don't want to get my game affected and that's my stand," he asserted.

Rastogi said his decision was not influenced by AITA.

"This is my own decision and nobody else's. I want to focus on my practice and matches. Unnecessarily it became big. But my career is more important than these controversies," he said.

On Monday, AITA secretary general Anil Khanna said he received an e-mail from Karan's father, Rahul, saying his son will play for India under any captain.



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