/ 11 February 1999

JO’BURG LOSES DAVIS CUP

THE South African Tennis Association on Wednesday decided to move the Euro-African Zone group 1 tie from Johannesburg to Cape Town after players expressed their concerns about playing at altitude. Despite signing a letter of commitment to hold the April 2-4 contest at Johannesburg’s Standard Bank venue, Sata has agreed to pay a penalty fee and move it to Rondebosch in Cape Town. Team members argued that Ukraine, favored to beat Belarus in first-round competition and advance to South Africa, are better players at altitude. The South African team, which plays at sea level for most of the year, received a first-round bye.