'Gut instinct' told Kiwi to pull out of Commonwealth Games

New Zealand tennis player Ellen Barry says she relied on her gut instinct in deciding yesterday to withdraw from the New Delhi Commonwealth Games.

Barry joined cyclist Greg Henderson, who pulled out of the New Zealand team last week because of security concerns.

The 21-year-old had been scheduled to contest the women's doubles with Marina Erakovic, who is also playing in the singles.

"It was a really difficult decision, I thought about it for a long time," Barry said today from Christchurch.

"I was just concerned for my health and safety. I know a lot of athletes will be going, but for me it felt like the right decision."

Barry, who has a career high singles ranking of 253, said she had put a lot of thought into the decision.

"Up until the day before yesterday I was still weighing it up... It was very difficult to come to a decision, but I just wanted to go with what my gut feeling was.

"That was that it's the right thing for me to come home."

It was "extremely disappointing" to miss the Commonwealth Games, she said.

"It would have been a fantastic event - I really hope everything goes smoothly over there and that maybe I can play there in the future."

Barry said she had contacted Erakovic earlier to let her know of the decision.

"I was really looking forward to playing with Marina, but I have to do what's right for me. Hopefully I'll get to play with her another time."

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» Click here to see an interactive map of all athletes who have dropped out of this year's Commonwealth Games.

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Tennis New Zealand events and operations manager Tracy Hall said that Barry hadn't felt comfortable with playing in New Delhi.

"She feels really bad for Marina, but Ellen's just decided in the last few days that for her own safety she prefers to withdraw from the Games," Hall said.

"She's satisfied with all the reports, but just deep down she wasn't happy."

Currie, meanwhile, said last night that the issue arisen in the previous 24-36 hours.

"Ellen Barry's situation is similar to that of Greg Henderson in the fact that she's pulled out because of security,'' Currie said.

"That clearly will have an impact on Marina's doubles intentions.

"If you think about it, we've got about 190-odd athletes and have only had two pull out."

Currie said he had no knowledge of any other Kiwi athletes that were considering withdrawing in the build-up to the event which has been marred by concerns regarding security, the safety of athletes and health issues surrounding dengue fever.

He also said if any athletes who had arrrived in the Indian capital wanted to leave because they were anxious about the situation on the ground, he would help facilitate it.

"I have no idea (if there will be more). Those two (Henderson and Barry) didn't talk to us before they made their decisions," Currie said.

"There might be others who are going through the same thoughts and I absolutely respect that.

"I don't have any sense of wondering why they would make that decision.

"It is a very personal decision for people to make and I have no recriminations or thoughts that they shouldn't have done it.

"Will others? I don't know but I guess there is also the possibility that others, while they are here, might decide they want to go home.

We've had athletes in here for 36 hours and I've had no sense of that yet. But if it was the case and somebody said 'look, Dave, I don't feel safe' then we would facilitate them going home."

Erakovic will now play mixed doubles with Rubin Statham.

Statham had been paired with young Wairarapa player Marcus Daniell in the doubles, but Daniell has been forced out after failing to recover from the back injury which has dogged him for the last two months.

Statham, who arrives in Delhi on Sunday from playing at a Challenger tournament in China, will also play in the singles.

Erakovic is due to arrive later tonight (NZ time), and the pair will be joined by New Zealand captain Marcel Vos for the competition which runs from October 4-10.

Barry added she would have short rest before starting training again, and planned to target some Australian tournaments later in the year.

-By AARON LAWTON in Delhi of Fairfax Media and also NZPA