While the All India Tennis Association is concerned about sending the best team to the London Olympics, our players do not seem to share the sentiment. Patriotism and the determination to play and win for the country do not seem to matter to players like Mahesh Bhupathi. A pathetic situation indeed!
Players pampering their ego, even if it means letting down the nation and people, is unacceptable. Leander Paes is justified in wanting to opt out of Olympics as there is no point in his being paired with a new player lacking exposure and experience in world-class tennis.
K.V. Raghuram, Wayanad
It is not fair on the part of Paes, arguably the best tennis player the country has produced, to call the stand taken by Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna to play as a team as a “drama.” Individual ranking has very little meaning in tennis doubles, which is more of a mind game. Bhupathi and Bopanna have proved that, as of now, they are the best doubles pair.
Col. C.V. Venugopalan (retd.), Palakkad
It is deplorable that infighting and ego have triumphed over national duty and pride. The Leander Paes-Mahesh Bhupathi combination has all the potential to win a medal in the Olympics. The AITA should defuse the crisis. Otherwise it will set a bad precedent for tennis and other sports.
A. Raghavendra, Kochi
Keywords: Indian tennis players