Mahesh, at the start of 2011, did you think your reunion with Leander Paes will end so soon?
At that time, none of us thought that way. We were looking forward to getting positive results and hoping for the best. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way. But I feel good at the position I am in right now. Rohan (Bopanna) has been doing very well for the last couple of years. He is on this really amazing upward curve in his career. Doubles is getting competitive and we rely heavily on power. And Rohan brings a lot of power in our team. So, I am happy that we got this opportunity and hopefully, we will make the most of it.

How do you look at this new partnership?
Rohan Bopanna: It’s always a big challenge to play with a new partner. But the experience that Mahesh brings with him will mean a lot. He has been around for more than a decade. So it’s going to help me a lot.

Mahesh Bhupathi: When you start something new, there are always going to be some nerves. Fortunately for me, I have always been able to make my partnerships work and I know Rohan for a long time. I know his strengths, weaknesses. We’ve been training hard for the last few weeks and hope to get things right when the new season starts.

What’s the key to make a new partnership work?
MB: The key thing is we are willing to work together. I think that’s the biggest strength. As doubles players, we have proved ourselves individually. As long as we can work together and believe in each other’s abilities, which we do, then it’s half the battle won.

Rohan, it’s a big step because you have had plenty of success with Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi.
RB: It was a tough choice for me to make but an extremely important one. The main reason behind my decision was Olympics. I couldn’t have played (in the Olympics) with Aisam. So I had to think of something new. That’s when Mahesh and I decided to pair up and see how things go.

Was there any particular point last season when you and Leander felt the time was up?
MB: Not really. I was informed Leander doesn’t want to play with me anymore. That’s when I called Rohan.

Was the fact that you and Leander haven’t managed an Olympic medal so far taken into consideration when you decided to split again?
MB: I would like to believe so. I and Leander have represented India in four Olympics and each time we have fallen short. Something wasn’t working out, though I don’t know what. So, logically, we decided to form a new team.

Rohan, there have been reports that you had an option to partner Leander. Was it comfortable for you to be in this position where you had to choose between Leander and Mahesh?
RB: I really wish it was the case. But it wasn’t like that. There are a lot of things involved. You have to take a look at rankings and other such things. I think I can learn a lot from Mahesh. Obviously, we have to work on the rankings aspect so that we can be eligible to qualify for the Olympics but there are still around six months in our hands to get it sorted and we are really looking forward for that.

Top seeds at the Aircell Chennai Open, Paes partnering Tipsarevic…How do you look at the whole thing?
MB: For us, it’s a new partnership, so seeding really doesn’t matter. We would really like to win four matches but we will take it one match at a time. It’s a preparation for us for the Australian Open where we would like to do well. It’s always special to play in Chennai.

RB: Lifting the trophy would be the ideal beginning for us. That would bring in a lot of confidence and satisfaction.

source: http://www.dnaindia.com/ Daily News & Analysis / Home> Sport> Report / by Mihir Vasavda / Place:Mumbai / Agency:DNA / Sunday, December 25th, 2011