Australia's appeal to shift next month's Asian zonal Davis Cup tie against hosts India out of Chennai over security fears was rejected by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) on Friday.
"The ITF board of directors has upheld the decision of the Davis Cup committee regarding the Asia/Oceania zone Group I third round tie between India and Australia," the ruling body said in a statement.
The May 8-10 tie will stay in Chennai, it said, adding: "The location and venue was previously approved by the Davis Cup committee following a positive report from the ITF's security consultants."
Australia face a year's ban and a substantial fine if they eventually decide not to travel to Chennai, according to Davis Cup rules.
"If, after the draw has been made, any nation withdraws from the competition, that nation shall not be eligible to take part in the competition in the following year, unless otherwise decided by the Davis Cup committee and/or the board of directors," rules in the website www.daviscup.com said.
Security in the sub-continent has been called into question following the ambush of the Sri Lanka cricket team's bus in Lahore, Pakistan, last month.
TRIGGERED CONCERN
The incident triggered concern that sport could become a target for more attacks in south Asia. India also remains nervous after Islamist militants killed more than 150 people in a three-day attack in Mumbai in November.
The Indian cricket board moved the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 league to South Africa after the government said providing security would be a problem due to clash of dates with the general election.
However, India regards Chennai, which held an ATP event at the Cup venue in January, as a safe location.
Earlier this week, former Australian doubles specialist criticised the ITF for endorsing Chennai as a venue.
"How can we expect our team to go and play in India when everybody else in that region is pulling out?" Woodbridge told an Australian radio station.
"I think it's irresponsible for the International Tennis Federation to expect us as players to go there and put ourselves on the line in a very, very difficult predicament with the way their social system's running."
Three weeks ago the ITF banned the city of Malmo from hosting future Davis Cup ties for five years and fined Swedish tennis officials $25,000 after the host nation decided to stage the World Group tie against Israel behind closed doors.
