Faced with a pullout threat from Leander Paes, the All India Tennis Association (AITA) has sent one of its selectors to London to pacify the veteran, who is miffed at not getting a partner of choice for the men’s doubles event of the London Olympics.
The world number seven doubles player, who is the only Indian to have got a direct entry into the Olympics on the basis of his top-10 ranking, is disappointed at being paired with a much lower-ranked Vishnu Vardhan (world ranking 206) for the London event.
This came after AITA decided to send two teams to the Olympics, following Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna’s adamant refusal to pair with Paes and insistence on being sent as a team.
According to the compromise formula worked out by AITA, Paes will get to pair with Sania Mirza in the Olympics’ mixed doubles event if she gets a wild card entry.
“Senior AITA selector Rohit Rajpal is being flown to London to speak to Paes and convince him over the two-team formula,” an AITA source told PTI.
The compromise formula was announced barely hours before the deadline for sending entries expired.
Keywords: AITA, Leander Paes, 2012 London Olympics, Mahesh Bhupathi
First, we had a couple of cry babies who bulldozed their way through.
Now, we have an angry man, deservedly so, seems to be thinking of not
putting the country first. The AITA, unfortunately, has created a mess
and set a precedent. They should have stuck to their previous decision
and disciplined the revolting player.
@pavani - keep in mind that it is also Paes who is showing selfishness by saying he will only play with Bhupathi or Bopanna and not with Vishnu Vardhan. In other words he knows he can only win in the company of those two - so in his selfishness to win he is making demands and like a spoilt child being pacified by indulgent parents, AITA is asking their rep to meet him and cajole him in London. Also, Paes is not playing singles that he can 'prove himself' - doubles is a team game and if he wins or loses, it depends on how the team performs, not just him. So, like him, you also are doing a dis-service to Vishnu Vardhan his partner.
Finally, whether you find their 'tricks' cheap or not, fact is that these are professional players and whatever punishment their national association gives them will not matter because it does not impact their ability to continue to play and win a lot of money on the international circuit like they are currently doing.
It's bad on the part of Mahesh to do so,one should be sportive in games but should not be selfish especially during olympics and international events.Lets see how Paes would answer their with the game.
Vishnu vardhan is equally a good player and is so promising.This might be his chance to prove that he is better than anyone else and if leander paes can shed off his ego and gives vishnu a moral support ,they would definitely make "INDIANS" proud.
What a shame Bhupathi and Bopanna. They do not deserve to represent India. Shame
Who is this Bhupathy anyway? How many know Bopanna? These children don't know Paes or Indian Tennis.Paes can won medal(any type)with anyone. From Martina Navrathilova to anybody...These idiots must understand this.
Let them play in Olympics.After they get what they deserve in First round, we, The INDIANS will give them what they deserve.
Paes, pls play for us, for INDIA. For us ur result is immaterial because we know you will fight until last breath when playing for the country.
sports organisations in our country are 'managed ' NOT governed by men who played the relevent game/sport in their prime years . The results are in front of all of us in all fields of sports/games. Second reason for this 'chaos' is the players resting on their past laurels/records take it for granted that they can dictate to authorities concerned. This is no sporting spirit !1
It is quite unfortunate that the AITA is unable at this juncture to think beyond such aging players as Leander and Bhupathi, both in their late 30s and have no love lost for each other. (Remember gentleman Vijay Amritraj retired from the active ciruit at the age of 35 in 1993). The AITA's insistence on depending too much on such oldies as Leander and Bhupathi speaks of the typical Indian mentality of relying too much on those players who are well past their prime. Does the tennis body have ever thought of the youngsters waiting for a useful break. It would go a long way if a team of Somdev Devvarman, Yugi Bambri and Vishnuvardhan is sent this time for the Olympics without bothering about the outcome so that the country could prepare well for the next Games in Rio De Janerio in 2016
Two Bangaloreans - Hesh and Bops - make a pact to keep Lee out. Another Bangalorean.
This sets a very bad precedent for Indian sports. I hope Hesh and Bops make an early exit from the games and strict punishment is given to them by AITA.
it shows the selfishness of Bhupati and wanting the Paes image to damage.These cheap tricks will get reversed to him if he has been sustainig this manner.
this is time that Peas should prove himself in Olympics and give a slap to the fellows who are dragging him back.
Seems that tennis team need training on Egonomics. Never thought that they will keep themselves above country. Just wasting the Olympic opportunity. Everyone cognizant about this ego clash long ago but AITA didn't took precautionary measures to avoid this at the last moment.At least this episode should not recapitulate in future.
I feel Paes' commitment to playing for India has been unquestionable.
He was ready to set aside the differences and play with Mahesh
Bhupathi. But, Bhupathi put the past personal differences in the front
of the honour of playing in the Olympics. Bhupathi & Bopanna played a
perfect game and set aside Leander. And now he wants to play in MXD
Doubles with Sania. It seems he is acting in spite.
Why is Paes resorting to such tactics? Why cant be welcome a junior
player into a team? We are still playing for a country, and not just to
acquire a pretty medal!
Why cant Bhupathi just keep quiet. He has got what he vouched for in
the Men's arena. Now wanting a place in the Women's game as well. This
just shows his selfish attitude and the extent to which he wants to
tarnish the image of poor Leander!!! Try to show your mettle on the court
than in the media Mr. Bhupathi.
What a comedy that a selector has to fly down to London to pacify Leander? Leander should stick to his stand as it appears that the team selection of him partnering with Vishnu is just a mere formality without any chance of them winning a medal. Just to coax him, AITA have given him the chance to partner Sania in the mixed doubles. AITA has handled the whole issue in a pathetic manner by looking at it only from a very narrow perspective of aiming to win a medal even at the cost indiscipline and surrendering to senior players dictating terms. Instead, AITA should have sent a team comprising junior players and could have ensure that ultimately it is the game which is supreme
What a comedy that a selector has to fly down to London to pacify Leander? Leander should stick to his stand as it appears that the team selection of him partnering with Vishnu is just a mere formality without any chance of them winning a medal. Just to coax him, AITA have given him the chance to partner Sania in the mixed doubles. AITA has handled the whole issue in a pathetic manner by looking at it only from a very narrow perspective of aiming to win a medal even at the cost indiscipline and surrendering to senior players dictating terms. Instead, AITA should have sent a team comprising junior players and could have ensure that ultimately it is the game which is supremen
This sordid saga has shattered some images that we had conjured and nurtured all along. Is it Bhupati's intransigence? Or, is it a certain implicit behavioural flaw in Paes that has not yet come to light?
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