Indian Fed Cup team "relieved" after matches moved out of China, Sania doubtful

The Indian Fed Cup team on Sunday heaved a sigh of relief after the ITF shifted the Fed Cup matches from the Coronavirus-hit China to Kazakhastan but the side is likely to compete without its senior most player Sania Mirza, who has aggravated a calf-injury.

Concerned for its players' health due to a medical emergency in China, the All India Tennis Association (AITA) had written to the ITF, requesting the world governing body to consider either shifting the venue or postponing the tournament, originally scheduled to be held in Dongguan from February 4.

After rejecting their request twice, the ITF finally intimated AITA on Sunday afternoon that matches have been shifted out of China.

"The ITF has informed us that matches have been shifted to Kazakhstan," AITA Secretary General Hironmoy Chatterjee told PTI.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has warned that the spread of a deadly new virus is accelerating and the country is facing a "grave situation".

The coronavirus has killed at least 56 people and infected almost 2,000 since its discovery in the city of Wuhan.

"I am happy that better sense has prevailed. The health of our players is a priority. I am really relieved. The players were very jittery to travel to China," India's Fed Cup captain Vishal Uppal told PTI.

"Twice, the ITF wrote back to us that the tie will go ahead as planned. It had kept everyone on the team worried. We can play freely now."