Amid continuing stand-off over men’s doubles pairing to represent India at next- month’s London Olympics, All India Tennis Association (AITA) today toughened its stand, saying it would not buckle under pressure from Mahesh Bhupathi, who is refusing to partner Leander Paes.
Telling Bhupathi to be “a little more mature”, AITA said both he and Rohan Bopanna, whom he wants as his partner in place of Paes, should realise that the nation comes ahead of their commitment to each other.
If Bhupathi expects AITA would buckle under pressure and refuses to pair with Paes, he should know that “it will not happen.”
These remarks by Anil Khanna, soon after his unopposed election as AITA President, indicate that the deadlock persists.
“Both (Bhupathi and Bopanna) have to realise that the nation comes much before commitment to each other,” Khanna said at a press conference.
Khanna stressed that the Paes—Bhupathi pair is the best team for the Olympics.
“It will have to be Leander and Mahesh. Olympics is a different ball game and tougher than a Grand Slam and wealth of experience that the duo has would keep them in good stead in crunch and pressure situation. We have to send medal winning team,” Khanna said, and expressed hope that Bhupathi would agree to team up with Paes.
Bhupathi and Bopanna, in a joint statement yesterday, said they have repeatedly and consistently communicated to the AITA their desire to only be considered for selection as a team and not as individuals to BE paired with any other player.
The two players had also said they would continue to pursue their case so that they be selected as a team before the final entry is sent to ITF.
Meanwhile, Leander Paes has said that he is ready to play in Olympics with any player that AITA chooses.
“I have no reaction to the recent statements made by Mahesh Bhupathi to the media. I have always maintained that I will play with whoever the selection committee and AITA choose and this continues to be my stand,” Paes said a statement to NDTV.
He, however, said given a preference, he would prefer to partner Rohan Bopanna.
“It is a well known fact that when asked by the AITA, I have expressed my preference to play with Rohan Bopanna as my partner in the Olympics 2012, based on his physical fitness and big serve,” he said.
Olympian tragedy or farce It defies logic and comprehension that Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, illustrious successors to the era of Ramanathan Krishnan and Naresh in Indian tennis, should now sully the record with their meaningless spat over whether they will don India's colours at the 2012 London Olympics next month. Before their squabble deteriorates into a Bollywood-style farce, it is time they lived up to their reputation as living legends of Grand Slam tennis.
I agree with Mohan. AITA is being foolish to believe that the ageing Bhaupathi and Paes, who together failed to land an Olympic medal when near their peak in 2004, can do better this time. Why is Bhupathi practically being ordered to partner Paes? It's the latter's attitude in the past which caused the split. We should go by current form, and by that criterion Bhupathi and Bopanna, left court players or not, are a formidable and successful combination. People who say the Olympics are tougher than the Grand Slams know little about tennis or sport.Doubles is about camaraderie and chemistry, and when those are lacking all talk of patriotism is just thin air. We should ensure that two Indian teams play in London - Bhupathi & Bopanna, and Paes & Yuki Bhambri or Sanam Singh. Maybe AITA has left it till too ate.
AITA seems to be full of jokers. When there is absolutely no love lost between Paes and Bhupathi, how can you force them to team up and expect them to win a medal for the country! They are basically ruining the country's chances even before the Olympics begin.
Talking about applying pressure and showing maturity, AITA is the one which is applying the pressure here and showing absolutely no maturity at all. I wonder how Anil Khanna even became president of AITA?! Are the players even consulted before decisions are taken or is it just an autocracy? Hope the jokers at AITA come to their senses soon for the good of the country.
Bhupathi/Bopanna's logic is strange. Both are left court players and Paes is a right court player. How can two left court players play competitive doubles in Olympics. The laurels won by Leander Paes are folk lore. Bhupathi should set aside all personal differences and agree to team with Paes. The nation is more important than the individual and it is heartening to note that AITA is sticking to its stand. It is hoped better sense will prevail in the end.
Can AITA President think a little more logically. When he say country come first he is dammn right. But human relation issues can not be tackled with disciplining measure other wise HUman Resuroce Management would not have been in existence! I think AITA need to think in Mahesh perspective. Even if AITA forced Mahesh to partner with Leas with out attending the relationship issue, it is not going to do any good for the country either.
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