KUALA LUMPUR: National team stalwart Koay Hao Sheng has defended his decision to turn down a spot in the Davis Cup tennis squad this year.
Tennis Malaysia (TM) yesterday said that they were unable to meet the "demands" of Hao Sheng and Mitsuki Leong, the nation's top-two ranked players, thus the duo were not included in the squad.
Malaysia suffered a poor outing in the Asia-Oceania Group III competition, which concluded in Jordan on Saturday, finishing last from five nations in Pool A and were subsequently relegated.
For the first time in history, Malaysia will play in the Group IV division next year.
Hao Sheng, 26, said he was unable to commit to the Davis Cup due to work commitments.
He is currently a full-time coach and only recently set up an academy – the NTP Tennis Academy – with his two brothers.
"The planning for the Davis Cup was a bit unclear and there was some uncertainty," said Hao Sheng when contacted today.
"I am not a full-time player or a student who can simply drop whatever I am doing and just go for tournaments whenever they need.
"I am an adult now and have a full-time commitment to fulfil (coaching), just like everybody else. I had to turn them down due to this.
"I did ask for an allowance and also to be compensated (for loss of income) as I would not be able to work during the Davis Cup preparation period and the tournament itself.
"I feel that this is only fair as I am risking myself by playing in the Davis Cup. If I get injured, I will not be able to coach.
"I have seen many such cases happening before, and those players did not get much help after (getting injured).
"I understand that they (TM) were not able to pay me what I requested and I don't blame them for that. But I hope they will also understand my situation."
Hao Sheng, who previously played college tennis in the United States, had won three Sea Games bronze medals for Malaysia over the last two editions of the biennial competition.
The Perlis-born player has made it clear that he is still keen on representing the country, but hopes that TM will plan the national squad's preparations for competitions better in future.
"I have played in three Sea Games and at least three or four editions of the Davis Cup before," he said.
"But I missed last year's Davis Cup as TM were late to give me my (national team appointment) letter, so I was not able to request leave from my employer. I was working as an engineer at the time.
"I hope TM will plan and communicate with the players better in the future."
It is understood that Mitsuki, who is a full-time touring professional, had sought an allocation from TM to help cover the high costs of travelling and competing abroad.
Mitsuki's father Jeff Leong, who is also his coach-cum-manager, declined to delve into details, but is also hoping that the national tennis body will plan better in the future.
"The (Davis Cup) results are indeed very disappointing," said Jeff when contacted in China today.
"All the players tried their best to play for the country. But if we fail to plan, we are essentially planning to fail, it is as simple as that."
Mitsuki was part of last year's Davis Cup squad and also helped the national team claim two bronzes at the Cambodia Sea Games, also held last year.
He is set to play in a number of ITF tournaments in China beginning this week.