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Aljaz Bedene to appeal against Davis Cup rule after being granted British passport Aljaz Bedene to appeal against Davis Cup rule after getting British passport
(about 2 hours later)
Aljaz Bedene is planning to appeal against a new rule which prevents players from representing more than one nation in Davis Cup after the Slovenian-born player was granted a British passport on Thursday. Aljaz Bedene is planning to appeal against a new rule which prevents players from representing more than one nation in the Davis Cup after the Slovenian-born player was granted a British passport on Thursday.
The 25-year-old, who has risen to No83 in the world rankings having begun the year at No145, has been a resident in the UK since 2008 and was provided with legal support from the Lawn Tennis Association during his application. According to a report by the BBC, Bedene will be able to compete under the British flag on tour as soon as he has submitted his new passport details.The 25-year-old, who has risen to No83 in the world rankings having begun the year at No145, has been a resident in the UK since 2008 and was provided with legal support from the Lawn Tennis Association during his application. According to a report by the BBC, Bedene will be able to compete under the British flag on tour as soon as he has submitted his new passport details.
However, due to the introduction of a rule change by the International Tennis Federation at the start of 2015, he may be denied the opportunity to represent Great Britain in the Davis Cup or Olympics. Bedene represented Slovenia in the Davis Cup in 2010, 2011 and 2012 but will appeal on the grounds his passport application was lodged before the rule change came in. However, due to the introduction of a rule change by the International Tennis Federation at the start of 2015, he may be denied the opportunity to represent Great Britain in the Davis Cup or Olympics. Bedene represented Slovenia in the Davis Cup on three occasions but will appeal on the grounds his passport application was lodged before the rule change came in.
Having lost in the final of the Chennai Open to Stan Wawrinka in January before winning last week’s Challenger event in Texas, Bedene has enjoyed a successful start to his year after an injury-hit 2014. He reached a career-high No71 in February 2013.Having lost in the final of the Chennai Open to Stan Wawrinka in January before winning last week’s Challenger event in Texas, Bedene has enjoyed a successful start to his year after an injury-hit 2014. He reached a career-high No71 in February 2013.
Last year, then-British No2 Dan Evans complained that Bedene should not be allowed to represent another country in the Davis Cup. Last year, the then British No2 Dan Evans complained that Bedene should not be allowed to represent another country in the Davis Cup. “I have nothing against him,” he said. “I just wouldn’t do it personally. He’s a nice guy. He’s played Davis Cup for a different country. I just don’t think it would be right if he played Davis Cup for our country. And I am a better player than him, too.”
“I have nothing against him,” he said. “I just wouldn’t do it personally. He’s a nice guy. He’s played Davis Cup for a different country. I just don’t think it would be right if he played Davis Cup for our country. And I am a better player than him, too.” Meanwhile, Canada’s Vasek Pospisil saw off the challenge of Juan Martín del Potro to book his place in the second round of the Miami Open.