Sania Mirza and Leander Paes will play in mixed doubles at the Olympics this Tuesday – Tennis News
Indian number one, Leander Paes will be playing with her fellow compatriot Sania Mirza in the mixed doubles category at the London Olympics on Tuesday. Before the London Olympics, Paes had to face negative response by fellow
Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna to play in the men’s doubles. In opposition, he demanded an assurance from the Indian Tennis Association that he will only play if he is paired with Mirza in the mixed doubles category.
Mirza, being well aware of the pressing issue at hand, was not comfortable with the idea of being used as “bait” to keep the double champion contented. However, after several weeks of anticipation and animosity amongst the
Indian tennis fraternity, the Doha Asian Games’ champion duo was found in the courts of All-England-Club practicing for two hours at stretch.
In a press conference Mirza expressed her dismay, "I am being offered in compensation to partner one of the feuding champions purely in order to lure him into accepting to play with a men's player he does not wish to play
with,"
Mirza, one of the greatest Indian female tennis legends, was expected to have played with Bhupathi. The couple has won two Grand Slam Championships, the 2009 Australian Open and Roland Garros French Open in 2012. They have
an outstanding chemistry since the start; this could have served to their advantage in the Great Games.
Despite of all the aggression faced in the past, both Indian professionals now look forward to bring home a gold medal. Passionate for the sport, the pair is now focused on their game plan for the upcoming big matches. The
observers of the practice session between the two reported that the duo is all set to rock the Olympics. Mirza is focused on her forehand, meanwhile Paes worked strenuously on his backhand.
In an after-session press conference, Paes told the media, "I want my partner to be comfortable. It doesn't matter which side I play. I have won Wimbledon with Lisa Raymond playing from the backhand
side. I have been much disrespected over the last month but all of it is now in the past. All I want to do now is to play for my country and my partners."
Nevertheless, Mirza also seem very relieved to play with the India’s number one. She believes that their strong and combined effort can surely do wonders. The sports star is enthusiastic about her country and her game. She
believes that Olympics is an “opportunity will never again come in lifetime."
Both the players seem keen to leave the bad blood behind and show the world, that what a great sport they are!
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