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 Argentina, who have reached four finals — including three since
2006 — must play off against as yet unknown opponents to retain
their world group status having been upset by Italy in the first
round in Mar del Plata two weeks ago.
"It's necessary to make deep changes to correct mistakes that have
been repeated for so many years," said world number five Del Potro,
who does not see eye-to-eye with team captain Martin Jaite.
Del Potro also reacted to rumors and erroneous reports after the
Italy defeat suggesting he would only play for Argentina under
certain conditions.
"I won't permit my name to be used to justify resignations that will
only paper over the cracks. I never asked for a (specific) captain
and always respected others' decisions even if they didn't respect
me," he said in a letter to the AAT.
"Out of consideration for the people who follow me, who enjoy
tennis... and know what I've done in the Davis (Cup) and Olympic
Games... and are a long way from insulting rivals or punishing
someone from their country, I won't play the Davis Cup for the rest
of 2014."
Del Potro, Olympic bronze medal winner at the 2012 London Games, has
been unhappy with attitudes towards him from some corners of the AAT
and media since being made a scapegoat for Argentina's unexpected
defeat in the 2008 final at home to a Spain team missing Rafael
Nadal.
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The 2009 U.S. Open champion dislikes the soccer-type support from
sections of the crowd at home matches who question players'
commitment to the team if they put their careers on the ATP circuit
first, failing to accept their prerogative to do so.
AAT president Arturo Grimaldi said he was surprised by Del Potro's
letter and would like to know what his grievances are.
"I'd like to get together with Del Potro and talk with him. People
forget what he's done for Argentina," Grimaldi told TyC Sports.
"There must be a failing on our part."
Del Potro last played for Argentina in their Davis Cup semi-final
loss at home to the Czech Republic in Buenos Aires in 2012. He opted
out last year when Argentina also lost to the Czech holders away in
the semi-finals.
Argentina reached the final in 1981 thanks mainly to Guillermo Vilas
but were defeated away by the United States.
In recent years they have relied heavily on the now retired David
Nalbandian but lost the 2006 final to Russia in Moscow and the 2011
final again to Spain in Seville.
(Reporting by Luis Ampuero; writing by Rex Gowar in London,
editing
by Ken Ferris)
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