Darkey still committed to national calls

Accra, July 19, GNA - Guther Darkey, number two seed of the national tennis team, the Golden Rackets seem to be unhappy over the hostile attitude of some fans towards him in the Davis Cup game against Georgia, but said their behaviour will not take anything away from his commitment to the national cause.

Darkey lost the first singles game against Georgia's top seed, Irakli Labadze and patterned number one seed Henry Adjei-Darko in an unsuccessful doubles game against the Georgians in a match many analysts believed his output affected the chances of the nation.

Darkey who was wholly blamed for the teams' defeat in the doubles event, told the GNA Sports that he was not pleased with the attitude of the fans and the blame being put on him because it was a team-work and no one should have been singled out for the defeat.

He however added that he would continue to respond to national calls anytime he is given the opportunity "because it is an honour to serve my nation".

Darkey who held the number one position till 2004, said he found it hard to understand the attitude of the fans after serving the nation for almost eight years but said that will not affect his level of commitment.

He said though, he is out of the circuits, he is still playing active tennis in London by featuring for tennis clubs. The player said that playing on the circuits has become an expensive venture and his financial strength cannot match it, hence his decision to stick to club tennis.

Asked whether he would ever make a return to the circuit, Darkey said this would depend on the availability of funds with governmental support or corporate sponsorship.

"This is the only way to keep players busy and in-form for the national assignments as well as get the needed results from us". Darkey who lost his number two position to Salifu Mohammed days before the Davis Dup tournament against Finland, regained his position for the Georgian tie but failed to live up to expectation as he lost the singles set.