AFP, Prague :
World number six Tomas Berdych will miss the Czech Republic’s Davis Cup play-off against India in New Delhi on September 18-20, the Czech team said on Tuesday.
Czech captain Jaroslav Navratil has called up 48th-ranked Jiri Vesely, Lukas Rosol (87), Adam Pavlasek (149) and Radek Stepanek (285).
For Berdych, “the trip to India would be a big sacrifice and he would risk the results in the rest of the season” as he is seeking his seventh straight Masters berth, said Navratil.
“Even without Tomas, we have a team that is experienced and strong enough to succeed in the play-offs and secure a place in the World Group for 2016,” he added.
Led by Berdych and Stepanek, the Czech Republic won the Davis Cup in 2012 and 2013.
In March, the Czechs lost 3-2 to Australia on home soil in the World Group first round, but they still lead the Davis Cup nations rankings, ahead of reigning champions Switzerland.
