Stormy Relations Between Indian Players Worsens – Paes and Bhupathi

Written by: Staff on 19th September 2012

Stormy Relations Between Indian Players Worsens - Paes and Bhupathi

epa03052357 Mahesh Bhupathi (L) and Rohan Bopanna of India in action during their semi final match against Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram of Israel at the Chennai Open 2012 tennis tournament in Chennai, India, 07 January 2012. Erlich and Ram won 4-6, 6-3 and 10-8. EPA/NATHAN G |

The relationship between Indian doubles stars Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi has been a stormy one for much of the past two decades. And now the feud between the pair and other parties is escalating on an almost daily basis after Bhupathi was handed a two years ban from playing in the Davis Cup after refusing to partner Paes at the recent Olympic Games.

Bhupathi, aged 40 and ranked 18th on the ATP World Tour’s doubles list, is now threatening legal action against the All India Tennis Association, who instigated the suspension. And primarily AITA president Anil Khanna, who is accused of making the situation many times worse.

“Anil Khanna has enjoyed the rift between Leander and me as no other,” said Bhupathi, speaking to the Indian press in Mumbai. “He has re-defined the term divide and rule and at this year’s Olympics, used Leander’s shoulder to fire the gun against me multiple times. Unfortunately the media terms this a Bhupathi-Paes rift and the true underbelly is left unquestioned.”

Rohann Bopanna, the world’s 14th ranked doubles player, who finally contested the Olympics with Bhupathi and lost in the second round to the French pairing of Jeremy Chardy and Gilles Simon, has been placed on a similar suspension.

But Bhupathi is the more verbal and stormed: “I am here to detail episodes of the personal vendetta the AITA and its dictatorial rule have carried out against me over the last decade. It has got to the point where nothing they do or say surprises me anymore.

“As far as that establishment goes I have become thick skinned. At the twilight of my career to face a ban from playing for the country and termed a traitor is unacceptable to me. If I am to stand trial after what I have achieved in my sport over the last 18 years, I am willing to, but I need to know who will ask the establishment questions?”

Meanwhile CNN-IBN’s Associate Editor (sports), Digvijay Singh Deo has been allowed to see an email Bhupathi and Bopanna sent to Anil Khanna in March, long before the Olympics entry deadline at the beginning of April.

The email states, Paes had made arrangements to play the 2012 season with both Bhupathi and Bopanna. It went on to say: “It is important for the selection committee to know that there is ZERO chemistry or communication between Leander and Mahesh or Leander and Rohan.

“Both Leander and Mahesh have played four Olympics together, three of them under strained relations and it is pretty apparent to see that the results haven’t been with the country has hoped for, needless to say that sending in a team to the Olympics without any preparation is not only not the right choice for the country but the worst choice for India.”

Now the AITA has responded by slamming Bhupathi for his threats of legal action. Senior executive committee member Hiranmoy Chatterjee confirmed Bhupathi would not play for the country till June 2014 under the rules provided in the constitution of the governing body.

“We are firm on our stance. Let him take whatever action he wants to,” he said. “We have not used the word ban. We would not consider him for selection till June 2014. (Rohan) Bopanna too has to suffer as he too had declined to play,” he added.

“Bhupathi wants to be a player, selector and administrator at the same time. Let’s take an example of Indian cricket team, tomorrow if Gautam Gambhir says he would not play for India if he is not allowed to open batting with Virender Sehwag. What will happen then?”

Topics: All India Tennis Association, Indian tennis news, Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohann Bopanna, Sports, Tennis News