Tennis ace Blaise Bicknell is urging the powers that be to find an alternative venue for Jamaica’s Davis Cup tie against host Lebanon, citing fears emerging from the security realities endemic to the region.

Jamaica’s number one player told the Jamaica Observer that he is deeply concerned about the high security risk in Lebanon and he is hoping that Tennis Jamaica will do all that it can to get the International Tennis Federation (ITF) ITF to change the location for the matches.

“I am very concerned about the Davis Cup being played in Lebanon because the security risk in Lebanon is extremely high, so I am hoping that the venue will be changed,” said Bicknell.

Meanwhile, president of Tennis Jamaica (TJ) John Azar says his organisation is working closely with the ITF in keeping a close eye on the security threat levels in Lebanon ahead of their Davis Cup Group Two semi-final clash against the Asian country in September.

The US State Department issued a travel on advisory on Lebanon on February 1, 2023, saying that it considers the threat to US Government personnel in the Lebanese capital of Beirut sufficiently serious to require them to live and work under strict security.

It said that the internal security policies of the US Embassy in Beirut may be adjusted at any time and without advance notice.

The US State Department also added: “Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Lebanon. Terrorists may conduct attacks with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities.”

However, Azar shared that he is unaware of Bicknell’s concerns because he has not received any written complaint from him, but his organisation is currently monitoring the security threats in Lebanon closely because the safety of the Jamaican delegation is of utmost priority.

“We have every confidence that the ITF will take the security of players very seriously, and I have no doubt that they will make the correct decision with the interest of the players in mind once the analysis has been done of the security situation,” said Azar.

“The ITF has protocols in place where [if] their security team feels that a location [is considered] to be unsafe or unstable then there is absolutely no need for us to try and reinvent the wheel,” he said. “I feel that persons need to just respect the process, have confidence in the process, and realise that neither the ITF nor Tennis Jamaica would do anything to risk the safety or security of our delegation,” he added.

“If any player expresses concern to us as the national association — which none has done to my knowledge — we will seek to reassure them accordingly,” Azar went on.

The tennis boss underscored that the tie is more than seven months away, therefore, a lot of things could change within this time frame and so it will be premature for his organisation to appeal to the ITF for a change of location.

“It would be highly irresponsible, irregular, and premature for us to have further discussions with the ITF about the venue seven months out. As far as we at Tennis Jamaica are concerned, the tie will be hosted in Lebanon and we will be prepared to play there,” Azar noted..

“As stated, I have every confidence in the ITF security team and trust that they will continue to monitor the situation — as they will do for all ties across the globe. There are processes in place and we at Tennis Jamaica will respect them — and I urge all associated parties to do the same,” he added.

Jamaica are currently ranked 60th in the world, compared to the Lebanese who are rated at number 47. Azar noted that the tie is going to be a very difficult one and the team must maintain their focus on the championships.

“I also want to say that we cannot use this as a distraction because the team needs to remain focused on what they are in control of, which is their preparations,” he said.

“The tie is going to be a very tough one because Lebanon is a tough team and so persons need to remain focused on the task at hand and not be distracted by things that are not within our control,” Azar added.