AITA to Send Two Teams For Olympics
posted on Jun 21, 2012 @ 3:15PM
Putting an end to the row surrounding the selection of India's team for the London Olympics, the All Indian Tennis Association (AITA) announced on Thursday that it will send two men's doubles teams to the Games, where Leander Paes will partner Vishnu Vardhan and Mahesh Bhupathi will team up with Rohan Bopanna.
Backing Paes, AITA made it clear that it did not envisage an Indian Olympic team without the name of Paes, who has been paired with Sania Mirza in the mixed doubles' category in London. Interesting, earlier in the day, Sania told that she wished to partner Bhupathi in the mixed doubles.
The decision may not go down well with Bhupathi, who most recently won the French Open mixed doubles crown with Sania Mirza.
Khanna said Sania, in case she gets a wildcard for the Olympics on June 28, will partner Paes as the duo's combined ranking ensures a direct entry to the mega event. "Leander and Sania are the only direct entry for the mixed doubles. If Sania gets a wild card, they will be only Indian pair at number 19 with their combined rankings," he added.
Reacting to AITA's announcement, Paes' father Vece said that his son was yet to decide on this. "This decision may not be acceptable to Leander," the senior Paes said.