13 years ago
Mahesh Bhupathi to NDTV: The AITA want to paint me as the villain
Mahesh Bhupathi to NDTV: Have already told the AITA that I will not be available to play the Olympics if I am paired with Leander
Mahesh Bhupathi to NDTV: It is a very disappointing announcement by the AITA to pair me with Leander
India will send only one team, Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, for the men's doubles tennis event in the London Olympics
Men's singles wildcard was also requested for Somdev Devvarman, since he was on the mock entry list, but has not played all this while due to a shoulder injury.
Doubles wildcard has also been requested for Rushmi Chakravarty.
Singles and doubles wildcard has been requested for Sania Mirza.
The sources say the selectors, who meet in Bangalore today, are clear that they are focused on quality, not quantity and would like to send a winning team to London. Paes and Bhupathi for years have been India's most prolific doubles combination, but the relationship has been marred by many splits and they have been much more apart than together as years have gone by.
Bhupathi, who is just back after winning the mixed doubles French Open title partnering ace Sania Mirza, has reportedly conveyed to the association that he would rather partner Rohan Bopanna for the London 2012 Games.
Paes, a high number 7 in ATP doubles rankings, is the only Indian tennis player who directly qualifies for the Olympics.
Before the Beijing Olympics in 2008 too, Bhupathi had written to the Indian Tennis Association stating that he did not want to play with Paes as he was better prepared with Rohan Bopanna. The AITA had shot down his demand and asked the duo to ensure that their differences did not hurt India's medal chances. They had joined hands for the Olympics and advanced to the quarterfinals where they were beaten by Switzerland's Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka.
Sources: AITA wants Mahesh Bhupathi & Leander Paes to pair for the Olympics
Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi will be the only team sent to the London Olympics: Sources
