Johannesburg — ANY mention of this weekend's Davis Cup World Group play-off between SA and India is met with talk about the altitude and unbecoming behaviour in the Indian team but the more pertinent issue for SA is the fact that they have been out of the Davis Cup World Group stage for 11 years.

South African Tennis Association CEO Ian Smith believes it has been far too long since SA has competed on the World Group stage.

"It is very important for us to win because the World Group is where the big boys play," he said yesterday. "It is where we play against the Americans, Australia and Switzerland.... So we, as a nation, are delighted that players have gotten through to the World Group play-off and now we are holding thumbs that they get through this tie and get promoted to the World Group."

Asked why he thought SA was out of the World Group Stage for such a long time, Smith said: "I think when Wayne Ferreira was at his peak we had a lot of good players at that time, then a lot of the guys got a little bit older ... the Pietie Norvals, the John de Jagers. When they retired SA didn't have enough depth to stay in the World Group and we were relegated."

Smith believes SA has a great chance of making it back into the World Group as there are various factors in the country's favour.

"We are playing at high altitude so that will obviously favour our players. We have quite an experienced side, with Wesley Moodie back. I think the team has a very good chance of going through to the World Group."

Prakash Misra, captain of the Indian team, dismissed talk of altitude being a major factor.

"The altitude is a little higher than Bangalore , so Rohan Boppana is used to the altitude , and the rest of them have played a lot all over the world, and so far they have not complained about the altitude. The ball is bouncing at a very good height and at a very good speed. There is no problem with heavy breathing and tiredness so far and we are not finding it very difficult."

Misra also dismissed rumours of animosity in the pairing of Mahesh Buphati and Leander Paes.

"These rumours have been going on for a very long time and normally when players are of that class something always comes up. But when we played in the last ties against Japan, Romania and Chinese Taipei, they played very well together and got us the results. They were talking and discussing and their behaviour was normal," he said.

So with altitude and rifts among the Indian team easily dismissed, what chance do SA have of making their first Davis Cup World Group stage in 11 years?

South African team captain John- Laffnie de Jager knows that a fanatical home crowd could be the difference between an Indian team ranked 19th in the world and SA, ranked 25th. "Our guys have to go out there and perform," he said. " Funny things have happened at the Davis Cup. Hopefully lots of people will show up and support us.

"Please write that people must show up and be loud because it makes a huge difference. Because it is of no use if you play at home and you have 10 people in the stands."

The singles matches take place on Friday, with the doubles on Saturday and reverse singles on Sunday. Rick de Voest and Izak van der Merwe will compete in the singles ties.

Undoubtedly the match that most people are looking forward to is the doubles, with the South African pairing of Moodie and Jeff Coetzee against Paes and Buphati.

Moodie and Coetzee last played together at the beginning of the year before Moodie severed their partnership. But Moodie said this would not affect their rhythm.

"We practised together yesterday and it was like right where we left off," he said. "For doubles players it's relatively easy to get going, it would have been harder if we were singles players," he said.