India’s tennis team coach, Zeeshan Ali, has stepped down as the coach of the Davis Cup team today. India will now need to appoint a new head coach for the team. “I have resigned as the coach of the Davis Cup team,” Zeeshan Ali told PTI.
Zeeshan has been the Indian team’s coach for the past 11 years, having replaced Nandan Bal as head coach in 2013. “I felt that I have already achieved whatever there was to achieve as far as the Davis Cup was concerned,” Zeeshan added.
India defeated Pakistan in the last match
In their last match, India defeated Pakistan 4-0 in the Davis Cup, confirming their place in World Group I in February this year. Yuki Bhambri and Saketh Myneni gave the team an unassailable 3-0 lead in the play-offs with their easy wins in Islamabad. Nikki Kalanda Poonacha then defeated Shoaib Muhammad 3-6, 4-6 in the men’s singles.
All about Zeeshan Ali
The 54-year-old Zeeshan Ali has played for India in the Davis Cup and also competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. He remained in the world top 130 for many years, achieving his career-best ranking in 1988.
Zeeshan has played a key role in the Indian Davis Cup setup by working with legendary players like Leander Paes, Anand Amritraj, and Mahesh Bhupathi. He has also been the captain of the Indian Fed Cup team in 2015 and is currently the Director of Tennis at the National Tennis Centre in Delhi.
Davis Cup: The World Cup of Tennis
The Davis Cup began four years after the start of the Olympic Games, in 1900. It is often called the World Cup of Tennis because a whole team of 5-6 players participates in it. A country is considered the winner based on the victories in the matches played between the teams.
The Davis Cup 2023 title was won by Italy, marking their first win in 47 years. The team defeated 28-time champions Australia 2-0 in Malaga, Spain.
India was Runner-Up thrice
India was the runner-up in the Davis Cup in 1966 and 1974, and also reached the final in 1987, where they lost to Sweden.
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