THE SCOOP: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30

ATP won't reschedule '02 dubs championships
Kafelnikov on the Moscow theater siege, retirement, Davis Cup and Safin

By Matthew Cronin
tennisreporters.net

The canceled ATP Men's Doubles Championships almost found a home in Santiago, Chile the first week of December but the deal fell through. The doubles championship was due to be held in Bangalore, India, next week, but was bagged because of a lack of sponsorship.

"They wanted to hold the event [in Santiago], but it simply got too late to organize it and make proper arrangements with the players," the ATP's David Higdon told tennisreporters.net. "There were two other cities also interested in hosting the event. Our focus now will be on building the profile of the doubles players over the next two years since we have secured a home for the Doubles Championship alongside the singles season-ending Tennis Masters Cup event in Houston. We will be playing both doubles and singles finales in Houston in 2003 and 2004."

Bangalore hosted the last championships, which were held in January.

Kafelnikov on the Moscow theater siege, retirement, Davis Cup and Safin

Susan Mullane Camerawork USA, Inc.

Two-time Grand Slam champ Yevgeny Kafelnikov came to the staunch defense of the Russian government, which has been accused of bungling the military rescue operation of some 800 people who were held hostage by Chechen rebels in a Moscow theater Saturday. The gas used by the Russian military to end the siege is said to be responsible for the deaths of all but two of the 119 hostages. Russian authorities said they were forced to use the gas to disable the rebels, who had been demanding that Russian troops leave their homeland. The rebels had threatened to blow up the theater if security forces attacked.

"I am definitely behind [the government] one million percent," said Kafelnikov. "They had no choice. Many more people could have died. I'm sure they did their best what they could and they did the right thing. … What with many foreign agencies talking, with many TV agencies criticizing that they could avoid such a thing; no, they could not. Because those people are fanatics and lunatics. They prepared to do worst than that. They've done a great job, even though about 200 people died."

Kafelnikov said that he isn't sure whether he knew anyone who died or who were held hostage. The No. 14-ranked veteran added that the October 23 attack occurred on his daughter Aleysa's fourth birthday. "That day was kind of ruined a little bit," he said, adding that the situation scared him. "When you do realize what could have happened – 800 people could have been blown away – it makes you feel a little scared, that perhaps there is no guarantee you go to such a show and things like that happen. I could have been there. "

WILL RETIRE IF RUSSIA WINS CUP
Back to pressing oncourt matters, the 28-year-old reiterated that if Russia beats France in the Davis Cup final, he will definitely retire. "Absolutely," said Kafelnikov, who is playing in Paris this week. "Right now I'm not putting any pressure on myself with the results on the regular tour. All I'm thinking is to win the Davis Cup."

The Russian also stated France's choice of clay for the final could prove fatal. "I don't say they make a big mistake, but definitely by choosing the clay they completely equalize the chances to both team, I think," he said.

Kafelnikov also added that he is pleased with his countryman Marat Safin's attitude toward Davis Cup. In the past, Kafelnikov has been critical of the younger Safin's commitment.

"Marat has been very helpful to me throughout this year," he said. "He understands that this is important to me. Perhaps he also started to realize that this thing also could be important to him. … Marat showed a lot of character by winning two singles matches [against Argentina in the semis]. I'm really proud what he did. … If we do accomplish what we wanted, his image will be even bigger than it is right now. He'll be the No. 1 player in the country and he'll be the star there. Right now we have two – me and him. When I stop, he will be the only one. There is a big difference."

Safin clinched one of the six remaining berths for Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai Wednesday when he defeated Wimbledon runner-up David Nalbandian 6-3, 6-2 at the Tennis Masters Series-Paris.