Indian tennis is headed for turbulence. The All India Tennis Association's selection committee met here on Friday afternoon and preferred to field the old pair of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi for the London Olympics.
The gambit, though, has angered Bhupathi, and the days to follow are bound to further aggravate the tale of a divided house.
The cold vibes between Paes and Bhupathi were overlooked as the AITA sought refuge in patriotism, and the association's vice-president and secretary Anil Khanna said: “The team with the best possible medal winning chance has been selected. I am sure the two will put the nation first and overcome their petty differences. Paes said that he is willing to play with anyone.
“Mahesh expressed his reservations but we hope that he will get over the emotions.”
Minutes after the press briefing, Bhupathi and his current doubles partner Rohan Bopanna emailed a joint statement that categorically revealed their differences with the selectors' viewpoint.
The duo also expressed hoped that “better sense will prevail before the team nomination deadline of June 21.”
The statement said: “We have worked tirelessly on our pairing to represent the nation on sport's most prestigious platform. We have repeatedly communicated to the AITA our desire to only be considered for selection as a team. This was on the basis that we are a team legitimately entitled to a Direct Acceptance to the Olympics by virtue of our rankings.
“It is indeed disappointing that the AITA has chosen to disregard our request. To not send one of the best tennis teams in the world to the Olympics — and to nominate one that has had four previous unsuccessful attempts — fails to put the interests of the nation first.”
Earlier, Khanna had hinted at disciplinary action if Bhupathi failed to fall in line.
It is reliably learnt that during the tele-conference which the selectors had with the players, Bhupathi and Bopanna refused to be paired with Paes.
Amidst the tension, there were few streaks of optimism: Khanna spoke of AITA's resolve to seek a wild-card each for Sania Mirza — either in singles or doubles along with Rushmi Chakravarthy — and Somdev Devvarman in singles.
If Sania gains a wildcard she can be paired with either Paes or Bhupathi, Khanna said, but the decision will be made only after Wimbledon.
Keywords: 2012 London Olympics, AITA, Indian tennis
This is a tough call, but Paes and Bhupati have the experience of playing on the big stage and they have impeccable records too! Then again, Bopanna and Bhupati have been playing relatively well as a team. But Bhupati should forget his differences with Paes and team up with him. Paes delivers when it matters! Bopanna will have his chance in the yrs to come. Paes does have a far better record than Bhupati and Bopanna :)
It is not good decision which was taken by AITA.why they don't send bhupati and bopanna really they are spoiling the chance to get a gold medal in olympics.they are doing worst
Mahesh Bhupathi & Rohan Bopanna have an excellent chance as does Sania Mirza & Mahesh Bhupathi. Leander Paes, being a gentleman, should withdraw voluntarily.
Why cant Mahesh play with Leander? They are probably our best and only hope for a tennis medal. Its Mahesh's ego and sheer disregard for what's best for the nation (rather than himself) that is driving his decision to refuse playing with Leander. AITA should take disciplinary action against Mahesh should he refuse to play. And Sania has no chance so lets stop fooling ourselves.
It is sad that sports federations in India are resorting to politics rather than common sense to resolve disputes. Our administrators only seem to be interested in imposing their will on players rather than finding workable solutions which will keep all parties happy. Doubles tennis is as much about teamwork as it is about skill. When Paes and Bhupathi do not desire to be a team then why force them into it. Mahesh and Rohan obviously make a good team, so why not send them to the Olympics. Sania can play the mixed doubles with Paes. This way everybody gets to play in the Olympics and India's medal chances will increase.
Indian tennis fans have had enough of this Paes-Bhupati love-lost story. Yes, both of you have brought home laurels that a budding tennis player could just dream of; however you people have let down your fans on many occasions usually just before the start of a major tournament. Once and for all you need to make a final decision, as this has become really irritating.
1. another men's double team could only be sent if India begs for a wild card. do you want the nation to beg for entry (with no assurance of a medal), or participate with head held high? 2. Paes has earned his right to play... if bhupati was so concerned, why didnt he improve his ranking. i suspect something fishy with his company Globosport and player's it endorses. 3. second double team can only be sent incase of a wildcard. in such a case, india shall have to part with either of men's single/women's single /mixed doubles entries. i am sure sania shall follow bhupati in lobbying for the combination favorable to their personal interests. 4. bhupati MUST show respect to the Indian who spearheaded the revival of individual sports in olympics, for india. (he was the second (lone) indian to win a singles medal) 5. All India Tennis Association must spend some money to revamp their website. it sucks!! look at those of other powerhouse nations/ AT
AITA president Anil Khanna thinks he is a dictator and everyone should follow his wishes. Mahesh and Bopanna are pairing together since few months and doing well. AITA ignores the fact that mahesh- paes had paired four times before and failed. AITA is arrogant and foolish in deciding to pair sania with paes and mahes with paes. When sania and mahesh paired and won french open and looks comfortable as pair why try new combination. Its the time India should stop appointing Industrialists and politicians as AITA heads. We need someone who can understand the sport and the chemistry needed in doubles tennis to pair.
Compatibility is very important. If, renowned players don't prefer to be in a team, then they should not be force to. I think players are sensible enough to choose their partners. Let player's desire should be put on table to discuss and based on the consensus the furthur decision should be made before 21st of June.
No, its just that Paes ranks no:6 in doubles presently and is the best India has to offer. So, he has to play. Bhupathi and Bopanna want to play together and in the process sideline Paes.If Bhupathi can't play with Paes, Bopanna should pe paired with PAES not BHUPATHI. Bhupathi might have problems with Paes but Bopanna shouldn't. AITA has taken a very brave decision . these are professionals and their conduct should be like that. You can never question the commitment of Paes to his country. Sadly, Bhupathi n Bopanna are behaving very unprofessional.
With an impressive record for Lee Hesh as a team, I think AITA has made the right decision.Bhupathi Bopanna has never been such a formidable pair & since Somdev is just returning after six months to the circuit, it would be a bad decision to pair him with Paes.It would be Lee-Hesh's last chance to prove that they are the best doubles team ever in the games history.With an impressive Davis cup record,an Olympic medal would be an addition to their lucrative career.
When the second pair i.e Bhupathi & Bopanna can be sent why AITA is refusing to send them? By doing this they spoiling the best chance of winning the medal in olympics. By not allowing Bhupathi to participate they have spoiled the chance of Bhupathi/Sania mixed double participation who have just won French open on the surface least liked by both. What AITA doing is impossible to digest.
Players should come out of personal egos and feel pride in representing their country. Team has been selected with intention to win rather than going with a lame duck team for the sake for participation and to satisfy somebody's personal egos. Mahesh has to grow up bury the differences and look forward to win the medal for India. As rightly pointed out they are being paid 6000 USD per month by Govt to train. He cannot choose his team. Tomorrow sachin might come and say if Gambhir is playing in India team I will not play for the country? Nobody should dictate terms but bring out their best for the country
Leander Paes is one of the best tennis players India has produced and Mahesh Bhoopati also owes his ascendancy in world tennis to a great extent to this tennis ace.It is unfortunate that Mahessh has expressed reservations to pair with Paes in the Olympics doubles.Now that their names have been announced by AITA,they both should bury all their differences fathoms deep and aim to annexe the winners' cup in the interest of the nation.
If Bhupathi and Bopanna pair were to be sent, what about the directly qualified No.7 ranked doubles player Leader Paes? Pairing up Paes and Bhupathi is the best decision for Men's doubles team. Nation comes first individuals come next. Bhupathi and Paes should throw away their differences and should try and bring a medal to the Nation.
it is a good decision for the AITA.Pace and Bhupathi will play defiantly india win the gold medal,but if the bhupathi and boppana we can't say.. my Heartful thanks to AITA.
Paes and Anil Khanna are hell bent upon finishing Indian Tennis.
When the second pair i.e Bhupathi & Bopanna can be sent why AITA is refusing to send them? By doing this they spoiling the best chance of winning the medal in olympics. By not allowing Bhupathi to participate they have spoiled the chance of Bhupathi/Sania mixed double partcipation who have just won French open on the surface least liked by both. What AITA doing is impossible to digest.
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