Indian Express splits; Bhupathi holds Paes responsible – Tennis News
Sad news for tennis fans as the world number four Indian duo of Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes have abandoned each others to split the Indian Express, followed by their unsuccessful run at the season ending finale, the Barclays ATP (Association of Tennis
Professionals) World Tour Finals, in London.
Indian veteran, Bhupathi, has claimed that it was Paes’ decision to bring their reunion to an end at the year end, saying that they were probably too old on the ATP World Tour as compared to other younger teams and not able to get going together on regular
basis.
“I guess everyone has their own opinion. Leander just felt that we were possibly a little too old on the tour and not able to gel on a consistent basis. He felt that our team needed fresh legs on either side. That was his point of view. Unfortunately, that's
the crux of the equation today,” commented Bhupathi on his home return from London.
Bhupathi and Paes were reunited after a long span of nine years, with the intentions to represent the Indian flag in the 2012 Olympic Games and their separation at the yearend was shocker for the tennis fans. The Indian Express had a brilliant 2011 season and
bagged three ATP doubles championship titles to finish as number four in the ATP World Team Rankings.
The Indian duo made it to the semi-finals of the circuit finale in London after stunning the world number one duo of the Bryan Brothers of the United States but were outdone by the ‘Polis Power’, Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski, in the round of four.
Immediately after the mega event, the Indo-Pak Express, Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi also announced that they will be parting their ways in the next season. When asked, Bopanna told that he will be teaming up with Bhupathi for the 2012 ATP season,
revealing that the Indian duo was also about to break shortly.
Bhupathi has now confirmed that he will join forces with Bopanna next year and will aim for the Olympic glory in the summer, whereas Paes will be teaming up with Czech Republic’s Radek Stepanek. Bhupathi further emphasised that there is no argue between him
and Paes as it was in the past but he is unable to explain the causes of splitting.
"It's very hard for me to explain that decision. It wasn't my decision. When we started playing last year the Olympics was a goal, Australia and the World Championships were a goal," he said to the press.
Bhupathi believes that his separation with Paes will not affect India’s chances of earning a medal at the Olympics and Bopanna will prove out to be a perfect partner for him in the coming days.
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