Paes agrees to play Olympics
30 Jun 2012 1:53 AM GMT
Leander Paes has finally agreed to take part in London Olympics, ending days of suspense after he threatened to pull out due to a selection row that engulfed Indian tennis ahead of the mega-event. Paes confirmed his participation at the post-match press conference of the ongoing Wimbledon Championship.
'I am looking forward to representing my country with the teams that AITA selected,' Paes said after winning his first-round men's doubles match with regular Czech partner Radek Stepanek. 'I am here to play sport and not politics,' he asserted.
The 39-year-old had threatened to withdraw from Olympics despite being India's number one doubles player after being paired with a lower-ranked Vishnu Vardhan against his wishes. Paes' partners of choice, Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna, refused to combine with him and insisted on being sent as a team themselves. AITA ultimately bowed to their insistence in a compromise formula of sending two teams, leaving Paes furious.
Paes was given the mixed doubles slot with Sania Mirza, breaking her Grand Slam winning combination with Bhupathi. In an extraordinary attack shortly after getting her Olympic wildcard, Sania hit out at AITA, Paes as well as Bhupathi, claiming that she was used as a 'bait' to pacify the disgruntled veteran. Paes, however, chose to stay mum on Sania's outburst.
'Unfortunately, I see the games being played within games and that is very disheartening. I am looking forward to playing my sixth Olympics as I have played for 22 years for the people and the flag. Every Olympics have some nonsense coming in with it. I know how much hard work goes into what I do. (Either) people choose to respect it, which I'm very lucky that India does, or people choose to disrespect. That's their problem, not mine,' Paes added.
The world number seven doubles player said he had no complaints about being paired with Vardhan, who is ranked 206 in the ATP list.
Paes, set to make a record sixth Olympic appearance, said he would look to help Vardhan, who would be making his Games debut in London. 'I don't even know if he has grass-court shoes. So it's a bit of a tough one. But he's a really good kid and I'm happy to play with him. Whatever I can do as an experienced professional athlete to help my partners out, I will do,' he said.
Despite Paes' confirmation, Bhupathi might still trigger a controversy as he has expressed his desire to partner Sania in mixed doubles given their recent success, most significant being the French Open title just a few weeks back.
'I am looking forward to representing my country with the teams that AITA selected,' Paes said after winning his first-round men's doubles match with regular Czech partner Radek Stepanek. 'I am here to play sport and not politics,' he asserted.
The 39-year-old had threatened to withdraw from Olympics despite being India's number one doubles player after being paired with a lower-ranked Vishnu Vardhan against his wishes. Paes' partners of choice, Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna, refused to combine with him and insisted on being sent as a team themselves. AITA ultimately bowed to their insistence in a compromise formula of sending two teams, leaving Paes furious.
Paes was given the mixed doubles slot with Sania Mirza, breaking her Grand Slam winning combination with Bhupathi. In an extraordinary attack shortly after getting her Olympic wildcard, Sania hit out at AITA, Paes as well as Bhupathi, claiming that she was used as a 'bait' to pacify the disgruntled veteran. Paes, however, chose to stay mum on Sania's outburst.
'Unfortunately, I see the games being played within games and that is very disheartening. I am looking forward to playing my sixth Olympics as I have played for 22 years for the people and the flag. Every Olympics have some nonsense coming in with it. I know how much hard work goes into what I do. (Either) people choose to respect it, which I'm very lucky that India does, or people choose to disrespect. That's their problem, not mine,' Paes added.
The world number seven doubles player said he had no complaints about being paired with Vardhan, who is ranked 206 in the ATP list.
Paes, set to make a record sixth Olympic appearance, said he would look to help Vardhan, who would be making his Games debut in London. 'I don't even know if he has grass-court shoes. So it's a bit of a tough one. But he's a really good kid and I'm happy to play with him. Whatever I can do as an experienced professional athlete to help my partners out, I will do,' he said.
Despite Paes' confirmation, Bhupathi might still trigger a controversy as he has expressed his desire to partner Sania in mixed doubles given their recent success, most significant being the French Open title just a few weeks back.
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