The deadline for naming the doubles team is fast approaching and the tennis officials in India are still confused that which combination would be best to represent them at the London Olympics.
Indian tennis star, Mahesh Bhupathi, has suggested that it would be better if he partners Rohan Bopanna instead of Leander Paes for the doubles team.
Bhupathi, who was on a visit to the Mahesh Bhupathi Tennis Academy at the Regional Sports Centre, shared that he has developed a strong chemistry with his regular partner on the ATP World Tour, Bopanna, and they would have the best chances to win a Gold medal at the Olympics.
The Indian said, while talking to the media, “The logical thing would be to play with Rohan, my regular partner, instead of pairing up with Leander (Paes) just for the Olympics. To try and defeat a strong field at the Olympics with just a few weeks practice together is pretty much hoping for a miracle.”
Bhupathi joined forces with Bopanna, who is in the form of his life over the last couple of years, at the start of this season and after a slow start, they have risen to the fifth spot in the 2012 rankings. They captured the title at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and reached the last four at the Sony Ericsson Open.
The combination of Bhupathi and Paes has been representing India since Atlanta Olympics in 1996. They gave their best performance in Athens, when they lost the Bronze medal match. Bhupathi and Paes also have an amazing 24-match winning streak to their name, as a doubles team at the Davis Cup.
When Bhupathi was asked about the chances of making a final try with Paes, he replied, “I do not want to undermine anything that I have achieved with Lee but if you were to look at the 24 victories in Davis Cup, 15 of those came at the Asian level. It is not Asian teams we are trying to beat at an Olympics.”
Bhupathi also hinted that the end to his 18 years of professional career may be near and he was not sure whether he would be playing at the 2013 Australian Open or not.
source: http://www.blogs.bettor.com / Sports News> Tennis News / Category: Tennis News / posted by Talys Darren
