Alex Bogomolov Jr. Photo / AP
Alex Bogomolov Jr. will play for Russia instead of the United States after the International Tennis Federation approved the switch today.
Bogomolov, born in Moscow, has represented the U.S. since turning professional in 2002 but has never played at senior level in the Davis Cup.
He is listed by the ATP as Russia's top-ranked player at No. 34, one spot ahead of Nikolay Davydenko. He was the fourth-ranked American.
A Davis Cup Committee decided Bogomolov's case met 2012 regulations which allow national federations three months instead of six before a tie to submit a request for a player of dual nationality to represent the country.
Russia submitted a request in October, meaning Bogomolov is eligible to play in the first round of the Davis Cup against Austria from Feb. 10-12.
U.S. Davis Cup captain Jim Courier noted Bogolomov's ascent in the rankings, and that he's "really a factor'' on the tour. Still, Courier said Bogolomov wasn't in his plans.
"He hasn't factored into my thoughts for what our team is and will be,'' Courier said during a U.S. Tennis Association conference call. "I don't really see a scenario where he would be playing for the United States. So I wish him well.''
ATP players recently voted Bogomolov as the most improved tour player after he rose from No. 166 at the end of 2010 to a career-high No. 33 in November.
His father, Alex Bogomolov, is a renowned tennis coach in the former Soviet Union, who coached Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Andrei Medvedev among others.
Bogomolov Jr. moved to Mexico with his family when he was 9 and then to Florida in 1992. He is still based in Boca Raton.
Bogomolov could play for Russia at the 2012 Olympics, but that would also require approval from the ITF.
The Davis Cup Committee met on Thursday in Seville, which is hosting the Davis Cup final between Spain and Argentina from Friday.
- AP
No comments:
Post a Comment