Tennis-X News, Notes, Quotes, and Barbs - 9-18-05

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TENNIS-X NEWS, NOTES, QUOTES AND BARBS
Contrary to reports that have appeared elsewhere, as of Saturday Marat Safin had not pulled from the ATP stop in Bangkok beginning on Sept. 26, according to tournament officials...Guillermo Coria on Argentine countryman Guillermo Canas' two-year doping ban: "Canas is not a criminal. He didn't kill anyone," Coria told Reuters. "I know him very well and he would never take anything to give himself an advantage. It was an accident. I hope CAS (the Court of Arbitration for Sport) will reduce the suspension. It will be very difficult for him to come back after two years. He will be 29. The ATP and ITF must look at things more on a personal level and less in black and white."...OutlookIndia on religious authorities supporting Sania Mirza regarding the Indian star wearing traditional tennis outfits: "Coming to Sania's defence, the main opposition BJP denounced the religious edict issued by a section of Muslim cleric against her sports attire. "It is the aim of these self-appointed guardians of Islam to keep Muslim women in a state of permanent subordination," the party said in a political resolution adopted by its National Executive in Chennai. Flaying the fatwa and threats issued by some Muslim groups to Sania, the National Commission for Women said this would only discourage the tennis sensation who was making India proud. "Please do not discourage the girl. Moreover, such attempts are also spoiling the atmosphere." Meanwhile Siddiqullah "Chowder" Chowdhary of the Muslim body Jamaat-e-Ulema-e-Hind has threatened the 18-year-old: "She will be stopped from playing if she doesn't adhere to the Islamic dress code," Chowdhary was quoted by Asian Age...Indian-American Sunitha Rao will face India's Neha Uberoi in the first round next week at the WTA stop in Kolkata...Justine Henin-Hardenne says she plans to play Filderstadt and Zurich before the year-end championships, and that doctors say she can play on without doing further damage to her leg injury.