Bhupathi Claims Paes Wanted to Split Up the Doubles Team

Written by: Staff on 2nd December 2011

Bhupathi Claims Paes Wanted to Split Up the Doubles Team

epa02342189 Marcelo Melo serves as he pairs with Bruno Soares of Brazil as they play against Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi of India during their doubles match of Davis Cup World Group Playoff between India and Brazil in Chennai, India, 18 September 2010. EPA/NATHAN G. |

Daily Tennis World News reported earlier this week on the reason behind the break-up of the doubles partnership between Aisam-ul Haq Qureshi and Rohan Bopanna. It was because Bopanna wanted to qualify for the London Olympics, and to do so he obviously needed to play with a fellow Indian. That Indian is Mahesh Bhupathi, which results from a split with his long-time but on-and-off partner Leander Paes.

It was not Bhupathi that initiated their latest split, however, but Paes. It is clearly something that Bhupathi isn’t happy about.

“I guess everyone has their own opinion,” he said. “Leander just felt that we were possibly a little too old on the tour and not able to gel on a consistent basis. He felt that our team needed fresh legs on either side. That was his point of view. Unfortunately, that’s the crux of the equation today.

“It’s very hard for me to explain that decision. It wasn’t my decision. When we started playing last year the Olympics was a goal, Australia and the World Championships were a goal, and I had a feeling we’d see our careers into the sunset.

“But as I said, Leander has a difference of opinion and I have to respect that. We’re professionals and at the end of the day we both love to compete and to win and we do whatever it takes to get the best out of both of us.”

While Bhupathi has decided to team up with Bopanna, Paes will be partnering Czech Radek Stepanek.

“DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE”