12 years ago
So that was 12-times Grand Slam winner Mahesh Bhupathi, reacting on a two-year ban slapped on him by the All India Tennis Association.
Anil Khanna re-defined the term 'divide-and-rule'.
AITA has taken out its personal grudge against me.
I'm not doing anything to prove a point. I love tennis, and I love being involved with anything to do with the game. That's why I work with kids.
I had conveyed to Anil Khanna back in 2007 that I'm willing to be a part AITA and help developing the sport in India. But it wasn't accepted. I think they don't want any player to be a part of it.
I don't know if my stance is that of a rebellion. But I don't think so. A rebellion won't change anything.
Being termed a 'traitor' is unacceptable.
I'd like to see my daughter playing tennis, for sure.
Rohan wanted to be here today (at press conference). But he has 8-10 years of tennis ahead. SO I wanted him to be out of this. These (AITA) people can be very vindictive.
Rohan is extremely upset.
The number of good luck messages I got today, I haven't received so many before a Grand Slam.
I don't see where the debate is in pairing two guys who are playing together and are doing good together.
I was told by people that now that two teams are going, let's prepare to do well (in Olympics).
I actually don't know whom to complain to.
Two years (ban) is a long time, I really don't know if I'll be playing tennis till then.
People responsible to bring up the sport in the country should resign and walk off if they haven't been able to do anything good.
Me being termed a traitor is unacceptable, will explore legal options: Mahesh Bhupathi
India is such a big country, and in the bigger context of things we still have hardly that many players at the top level.
I have always tried to extend my hand to Anil so that we could work together for tennis in India, but with no avail.
I have been doing things for tennis in India that Anil Khanna should be doing.
Amil (Khanna) has problem with me because I have managed to find out ways to do something for the sport.
Two weeks after we won the French Open, AITA told us that 'sorry guys, you and Rohan can't pair up for Olympics'.
I have tried to do everything by the book, following procedures.
AITA could have said at the beginning of the year itself that only the top ranked players will be paired.
And we had initiated communication with the federation too a long time ago.
Rohan and I had paired up with the aim of performing well in Olympic.
AITA shut us out at every step.
It's very frustrating.
Sad to say, but lot of people celebrated when we lost (in Olympics).
Mahesh Bhupati: We still don't have clear answers as to why we were banned. They don't have a code of conduct.
But there's always some politics going on in AITA.
That was before Olympics, because I and Rohan were best prepared together.
AITA was initially sympathetic to us.
Don't know about all the committees, but actually it's one person (Anil Khanna) who takes the decisions.
AITA's system doesn't help youngsters.
I and Rohan have asked AITA in an email what are we being punished for exactly.
But we are exploring legal options.
As far as the ban goes, I don't know if there's an option of not accepting it.
AITA's ban has crossed the line.
As for me, I was always 'banned'. As the AITA never supported my initiatives.
I feel bad for my friend and partner Rohan Bopanna, for he got trapped in the crossfire and politics.
It is sad to get a ban at the twilight of my career. After 18 years of playing.
And people thought it was a problem between me and Leander.
Anil Khanna has enjoyed the rift between me and Leander.
Anil Khanna has used Leander's shoulder to train his gun against me.
Tennis is my blood.
"I have become thick skinned (in reaction to AITA's decisions)."
"Over the years, funding for the programmes that I conduct for the upcoming players were shunned (by AITA)," says Bhupathi.
Mahesh is presenting a copy of his correspondence with AITA with media.
Mahesh gets on with his press adress.
And we shall be tracking it closely.
And quite a few people are expecting some explosive statements from Bhupathi during the press conference.
The tennis ace will speak to the media for the first time after being banned by the All India Tennis Association (AITA) today at 2pm in Mumbai.
