Bhupathi & Bopanna show their back to Leander Paes
June 19: Indian tennis Icon Mahesh Bhupathi and the up and coming Rohan Bopanna have both refused to pair up with tennis icon Leander Paes.
On his decision on not to pair with Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi has said, “We played many Olympics together but unfortunately we have not been able to be very successful.”
He has reportedly said that he will not partner with Paes in the doubles team of the mega event.
Rohan Bopanna too has refused to be paired with Leander Paes for the 2012 London Games.
Bopanna in a letter to AITA made it clear that he cannot combine with Paes although it is his "dream to represent India in Olympics".
"With all respect and humility, I have been unable to accept AITA's offer and have communicated my decision to them in writing this morning," Bopanna said in a statement.
Bopanna said he teamed up with Bhupathi earlier only with the aim of playing in the Olympics. He said AITA was well aware of it and also encouraged them.
Bopanna said that him and Paes do not make a good pair and their partnership is unlikely to yield any result.
"Since the beginning of the year, I have partnered with Mahesh Bhupathi towards playing together as at team at the Olympics. This was communicated to the AITA at every step and we were encouraged to continue to play together.
"Having played alongside Leander Paes only twice during my career, I recognise that as a team we are under-prepared for the demands of the Olympics and, in good faith, I could not accept AITA's offer that we play together."
Bopanna admitted that his controversial decision might be difficult to comprehend but he won't risk his professional integrity for a shot at the Olympics.
Bhupathi and Bopanna's decision to not be paired with Paes has put India's campaign in the Games in serious jeopardy.
Th.. AITA has decided to send one team from India for the event.
AITA secretary general Anil Khanna on Friday said Bhupathi and Paes have been selected to represent India and they are best players to grab medals for the country in the mega event. Bhupathi and Paes have together played four Olympic so far.
Criticisng the move taken by the AITA, Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna issued a joint statement later.
"As a team that is entitled to a Direct Acceptance based on ITF criteria, we are saddened to learn of the decision of the AITA Selection Committee to not nominate us for participation in the Men's Doubles Tennis event at the Games of the XXX Olympiad," read the statement.
"We have repeatedly and consistently communicated to the AITA our desire to only be considered for selection as a team and not as individuals to be paired with any other players. 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," it said.
"We believe that ignoring a combination that is fully committed, dedicated and prepared is an unjustifiable compromise. To not send one of the best tennis teams in the world to the Olympics - and to, instead, choose to nominate one that has had four previous unsuccessful attempts - fails to put the interests of the nation first.," the statement said.
"Moreover, choosing to send only one team when India was entitled to two denies two highly accomplished players of the privilege and opportunity to represent the country at the Olympics. This is a sad day for Indian tennis from all perspectives," it said.
Their dream to play together at the Olympics suffered another set back after India's Sports Minister Ajay Maken said that it was the prerogative of the All India Tennis Association to pick the best combination.
Maken, who on Monday sought an explanation from the AITA on the selection, made a u-turn by refusing to intervene in the selection crisis that has shaken Indian tennis, leaving it to AITA to take a final call on the men's doubles combination for the London Olympics.
"The sports ministry does not wish to be part of selection process. We had raised certain issues because of requests from certain iconic players, The sports ministry leaves it to AITA to exercise any of the options in the best of national interest.." said Maken.
Maken's comments came after the AITA had sent a letter to the ministry detailing its logic for picking the Paes-Bhupathi combination.
AITA gave five options to the ministry asking it to suggest the right combination but Maken has left the matter to the body's discretion.
AITA president Ani Khanna said, “"We have only three doubles players and only two out of three can go and the selection committee has already decided that Paes should partner Bhupathi and in case Mahesh declines, it should be Bopanna. The government is supportive. The sentiments of Paes have to be kept in mind," he added, referring to the fact that Paes has individual entry to the Olympic draw due to his top-10 ranking while Bhupathi and Bopanna make the cut on the basis of their combined ranking.”
June 19: Indian tennis Icon Mahesh Bhupathi and the up and coming Rohan Bopanna have both refused to pair up with tennis icon Leander Paes. On his decision on not to pair with Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi has said, “We played many Olympics together but unfortunately we have not been able to be very...
June 19: Indian tennis Icon Mahesh Bhupathi and the up and coming Rohan Bopanna have both refused to pair up with tennis icon Leander Paes.
On his decision on not to pair with Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi has said, “We played many Olympics together but unfortunately we have not been able to be very successful.”
He has reportedly said that he will not partner with Paes in the doubles team of the mega event.
Rohan Bopanna too has refused to be paired with Leander Paes for the 2012 London Games.
Bopanna in a letter to AITA made it clear that he cannot combine with Paes although it is his "dream to represent India in Olympics".
"With all respect and humility, I have been unable to accept AITA's offer and have communicated my decision to them in writing this morning," Bopanna said in a statement.
Bopanna said he teamed up with Bhupathi earlier only with the aim of playing in the Olympics. He said AITA was well aware of it and also encouraged them.
Bopanna said that him and Paes do not make a good pair and their partnership is unlikely to yield any result.
"Since the beginning of the year, I have partnered with Mahesh Bhupathi towards playing together as at team at the Olympics. This was communicated to the AITA at every step and we were encouraged to continue to play together.
"Having played alongside Leander Paes only twice during my career, I recognise that as a team we are under-prepared for the demands of the Olympics and, in good faith, I could not accept AITA's offer that we play together."
Bopanna admitted that his controversial decision might be difficult to comprehend but he won't risk his professional integrity for a shot at the Olympics.
Bhupathi and Bopanna's decision to not be paired with Paes has put India's campaign in the Games in serious jeopardy.
Th.. AITA has decided to send one team from India for the event.
AITA secretary general Anil Khanna on Friday said Bhupathi and Paes have been selected to represent India and they are best players to grab medals for the country in the mega event. Bhupathi and Paes have together played four Olympic so far.
Criticisng the move taken by the AITA, Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna issued a joint statement later.
"As a team that is entitled to a Direct Acceptance based on ITF criteria, we are saddened to learn of the decision of the AITA Selection Committee to not nominate us for participation in the Men's Doubles Tennis event at the Games of the XXX Olympiad," read the statement.
"We have repeatedly and consistently communicated to the AITA our desire to only be considered for selection as a team and not as individuals to be paired with any other players. 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," it said.
"We believe that ignoring a combination that is fully committed, dedicated and prepared is an unjustifiable compromise. To not send one of the best tennis teams in the world to the Olympics - and to, instead, choose to nominate one that has had four previous unsuccessful attempts - fails to put the interests of the nation first.," the statement said.
"Moreover, choosing to send only one team when India was entitled to two denies two highly accomplished players of the privilege and opportunity to represent the country at the Olympics. This is a sad day for Indian tennis from all perspectives," it said.
Their dream to play together at the Olympics suffered another set back after India's Sports Minister Ajay Maken said that it was the prerogative of the All India Tennis Association to pick the best combination.
Maken, who on Monday sought an explanation from the AITA on the selection, made a u-turn by refusing to intervene in the selection crisis that has shaken Indian tennis, leaving it to AITA to take a final call on the men's doubles combination for the London Olympics.
"The sports ministry does not wish to be part of selection process. We had raised certain issues because of requests from certain iconic players, The sports ministry leaves it to AITA to exercise any of the options in the best of national interest.." said Maken.
Maken's comments came after the AITA had sent a letter to the ministry detailing its logic for picking the Paes-Bhupathi combination.
AITA gave five options to the ministry asking it to suggest the right combination but Maken has left the matter to the body's discretion.
AITA president Ani Khanna said, “"We have only three doubles players and only two out of three can go and the selection committee has already decided that Paes should partner Bhupathi and in case Mahesh declines, it should be Bopanna. The government is supportive. The sentiments of Paes have to be kept in mind," he added, referring to the fact that Paes has individual entry to the Olympic draw due to his top-10 ranking while Bhupathi and Bopanna make the cut on the basis of their combined ranking.”
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