Austria forfeit Davis Cup prize-money

Tennis

Austria have been ordered by the International Tennis Federation to forfeit pounds 35,500 prize money for failing to complete their Davis Cup World Group qualifying match against Brazil in Sao Paulo last month.

Austria refused to complete the last three rubbers after Thomas Muster walked off court in protest at what he felt was the threatening behaviour of the home crowd. Austrian attempts to have the tie replayed at a neutral venue ended in failure yesterday when the ITF confirmed Brazil's 4-1 victory.

They also approved on-site fines totalling $8,000 (pounds 5,200) on Muster, who appeared in person to argue his case. The Austrian No 1 said conditions were the most hostile he had ever met, but the ITF's president, Brian Tobin, said Muster had not proved his allegations. "Most of the things spectators were accused of were not substantiated," Tobin said.

Davis Cup seedings, Digest, page 31