Mahesh Bhupathi poses for photographs with some of the trainees at his centre on the outskirts of Kolkata. / PTI
Mahesh Bhupathi says the selection of the team for the upcoming London Olympics is best left to the All India Tennis Association.

“The team selection is not something to be decided by us. The AITA has to decide the best team available for the Olympics,” Bhupathi said, while visiting his academy on the outskirts of the city on Wednesday.

No comparison

When asked about how significant an addition to his Grand Slam trophies an Olympic medal would be, he said the two ought not to be compared.

“I cannot compare the two as I am yet to win an Olympic medal. But I can say that if I miss an Olympic medal but do well in the Grand Slams, I won’t call it a bad year,” he said.

Terming his recent fatherhood “a life changing experience,” Bhupathi said he was “still sinking into the feeling.”

Bhupathi said that the news of Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh being diagnosed with cancer was very disturbing. “(Yuvraj) is a great fighter. He should continue his fight against the disease. We all are praying for him,” Bhupathi said.

Bhupathi also praised his current doubles partner Rohan Bopanna saying that the latter has already proved his ability at the highest level. “He (Bopanna) has proved himself, both as a singles as well as a doubles player,” Bhupathi said. “But we still have to adapt to each other’s game. We have a long season ahead.”

Impressed by Nagal

When asked to name the future prospects of the country, Bhupathi said Yuki Bhambri and Sumit Nagal were the two to look out for.

“Somdev Devvarman is doing well, but he is not young anymore. Nagal is the brightest young talent I have seen. At his age (14) I did not even think of winning an under-18 title (which Nagal did recently in an ITF junior event in Kolkata),” Bhupathi said.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Sports> Tennis / by Prinicipal Correspondent / Kolkata, February 09th, 2012