It looked as if Mahesh Bhupathi could have enjoyed the best of both the worlds, by playing doubles with Leander Paes and the mixed doubles with Sania Mirza, but spoilt his chances of a medal by siding strongly with Rohan Bopanna.
However, the country’s first Grand Slam champion who had made the breakthrough with Rika Hiraki of Japan in the French Open mixed doubles in 1997, was categorical in his argument that the dice was loaded against his very presence in the London Games. “Nothing is my doing. I knew who the No. 1 player wanted to play with. I also knew what the national federation was planning.
“Moreover, I was told clearly when they offered me a chance to play with Leander, that our performances in Wimbledon would be considered before finalising the mixed doubles team for the Olympics’’, said Bhupathi, on way to London from Hamburg. He may have given a good account of himself in four Olympics and come close to a bronze medal in the Athens Games, but Bhupathi said that he would not have been in the reckoning for the London Games but for the mixed doubles title that he and Sania won in the French Open.
“The media also backed my case strongly about playing doubles with Rohan, otherwise the plan was to keep me out of the Olympics’’, said Bhupathi.
Looking at the competition ahead, Bhupathi observed that Olympics was the toughest event because of the participation of top singles and doubles players in the doubles field.
“It will be tougher this time, but we have been preparing for seven months and have worked on specifics,” said Bhupathi, about his readiness to strike with Rohan Bopanna.
Best scope for a medal
Though he had faith in his combination with Bopanna, Bhupathi was clear that Paes with Sania had the best scope for a medal among the four Indian teams fielded for the London Games.
He, however, said that it was difficult to rate the chances of the Indian mixed doubles team in a field of 16, as the draw would be made only on July 31.
Asked whether it was fair to overlook the country’s No. 1 singles player, Yuki Bhambri, and get an wild card for Somdev Devvarman who had not played competitive tennis for more than seven months owing to a shoulder surgery,
Bhupathi shot back, “Yuki is only 20, and he will get his chances. Somdev deserves the wild card for what he has done for Indian tennis.”
Yes, the All India Tennis Association (AITA) had sought a singles wild card for Devvarman as a gesture of gratitude for winning three gold medals in all in the Commonwealth and Asian Games.
Keywords: London 2012, London Olympics 2012, Mahesh Bhupathi
Bhupathy should keep away from commenting, at least till he stands a chance in the doubles event, and better let his racket do all the talking. Concentrating on his own game plan should be his only goal for the moment. He is dragging the names of those who might matter for India's hopes, thus creating the atmosphere for reactions and counter-reactions from "medal hopes", which is better avoided. As far as Somdev is concerned, he deservedly got the wild card even if he hasn't been in competitive tennis for some time now. He is a better option than Yuki at the moment, given his past records, mental strength and physical capability and the all important maturity to handle pressure. Moreover, Yuki doesn't have much under his belt to showcase his "candidature" for the Wild Card. So, let's hope for the best.
If at all one wants to say someting about this tennis controvesry for what its worth, It's a blessing in disguise. At least this is happening in public lights now rather than behind the closed doors in the past where nobody stands a chance of knowing what's really happening!
Though a fan of Somdev Devvarman, as a sports lover I disapprove of
the decision of the International Tennis Federation/ Games organisers
to grant a wild card for the Olympic men's singles to him.He has not
played a match the whole of 2012 and doesn't deserve to be in India's
Olympic team. Sure he was injured but that's an unfortunate part of
competitive sport. The idea that AITA sought a wild card for Somdev on
sentimental grounds for having done well way back in 2010 in the
Commonwealth Games and Asian Games is preposterous. Yuki Bhambri
deserved a place in the tennis team on current form. When swimmers
Khade and Sejwal, and athletes Abraham, Ghamanda Ram and Thingalaya
among others tried desperately hard to qualify but failed to make the
Olympic team, it's unfair for Somdev to get in through the back
door;if he was serious about competing in the Games, Devvarman should
have played in tournaments post-Wimbledon, and that he didn't despite
claiming to be fit is certainly disturbing.
the culprit now wants to look like the saint. what are the bets on that Boopathi of joining politics in the future?
Please Email the Editor