Mahesh Bhupathi hints retirement next year

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Former doubles world No. 1 Mahesh Bhupathi has hinted about his retirement early next year. "I`m winding down. I`m playing the weeks I can play, going to the tournaments I want to go to before I call it a day next summer. I might still play a tournament or two this year and then a handful next year,” Bhupathi told a leading newspaper. The 39-year-old has 12 Major titles to his credit. His last three tournaments - New York, Bangkok and Beijing - have all seen him suffer early round exits. Bhupati, who turned pro in 1995, became the first Indian to win a Grand Slam tournament with Rika Hiraki (1997). His partnership with Leander Paes has been most successful, with the duo becoming the first doubles team to reach the finals of all four Grand Slams, a feat that has been achieved in the open era for the first time since 1952. Apart from his pro tours, Bhupathi now also manages tennis stars, his most famous client being Wimbledon champion Andy Murray. He is also the brain behind the International Premier Tennis League to be held in India from 2014. "I`m still competitive. I play to win. But now with my business interests and my daughter, I get over losses quicker. Sometimes I have a business meeting right after a match, so there`s no time to think about the losses. I still enjoy playing and competing,” said Bhupati.