The All India Tennis Association, AITA today decided to send two Men's Doubles teams for the London Olympics. The association has decided to pair Leander Paes with Vishnu Vardhan. Describing the decision as unfair on world number 7 Paes, AITA has allowed Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna to team up for the London event, after both of them refused to partner the 39-year-old tennis player. AITA President Anil Khanna said the best option is of sending two teams. Referring to Paes' threat of a pullout in case of being paired with a junior partner, Mr. Khanna said, Paes, who has the record of most David Cup appearances for India and has served the nation for over 20 years, has the right to react sharply. He said, AITA does not want Leander's image to be tarnished. AITA has asked Leander to forgive the utterances against him by Bhupathi and Bopanna. Mr. Khanna also said that Sania, if she gets a wildcard for the Olympics on June 28, will partner Paes in the Mixed Doubles. The duo's combined ranking ensures a direct entry to the mega event.
News On AIR | June 21, 2012 1:52 PM
AITA to send 2 teams for London Olympics