Bhupathi, Paes may not play together at London Olympics

Zeenews Sports Bureau

Mumbai: India’s medal hopes at Olympics have taken a beating when two stalwarts of Indian tennis-Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes- have decided not to play together at Olympics. The Indian tennis team for the Olympics will be selected on Friday by selection committee members Jaidip Mukherjea, SP Misra, Rohit Rajpal, Zeeshan Ali and Sai Jayalakshmi. They will likely to pick the best doubles team to represent the country. While it was widely believed till date that the two of India’s best doubles players would play one last time together and win a medal for the country. But the fact is that both have categorically told the All India Tennis Association (AITA) that they did not want to play together at the London games. They, however, may have to play together if the tennis authorities of the country feel they should play together. Another doubles player Rohan Bopanna also asked the AITA not to consider him to partner Leander Paes. In that case, Paes will have no world class doubles partner to compete in London Olympics. Since Paes is the number one ranked doubles player of the country, the selectors will have a tough time selecting his doubles partner for the London Olympics.