Sad day for Indian tennis, say Bhupathi and Bopanna

Bangalore: Two of India's top doubles players, Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna on Friday expressed disappointment that they would not be pairing at the tennis competitions of the London Olympics.

The reaction follows the decision of the selection committee of the All India Tennis Association here on Friday that nominated Leander Paes to partner Bhupathi.

The joint statement by Bhupathi and Bopanna, ranked 12 and 14 in the doubles respectively, dubbed the decision as "unjustified compromise" since the AITA has nominated a combination "that has had four previous unsuccessful attempts".

The statement also criticised AITA for not nominating two teams when the country was entitled to "denies two highly accomplished players of the privilege and opportunity to represent the country at the Olympics. This is a sad day for Indian tennis from all perspectives".

The duo said while they hoped "better sense" will prevail before the nomination deadline of June 21, they will "continue to make our case to all concerned over the next few days".

The full text of the joint statement is:

"As a team that is entitled to a direct acceptance based on ITF criteria, we are saddened to learn of the decision of the AITA Selection Committee to not nominate us for participation in the men's doubles tennis event at the Games of the XXX Olympiad.

"As athletes who have committed ourselves to representing the nation, we have worked tirelessly on our pairing, choosing to break winning partnerships, and keep aside personal best interests, to combine forces to represent the nation on sport's most prestigious platform. We have worked together on strengthening our partnership and have proved its benefits. As a result, we have maintained our position as one of the top teams in the world.

"We have repeatedly and consistently communicated to the AITA our desire to only be considered for selection as a team and not as individuals to be paired with any other players. This was on the basis that we are a team legitimately entitled to a direct acceptance to the Olympics by virtue of our rankings. It is indeed disappointing that the AITA has chosen to disregard our request.

"We believe that ignoring a combination that is fully committed, dedicated and prepared is an unjustifiable compromise. To not send one of the best tennis teams in the world to the Olympics - and to, instead, choose to nominate one that has had four previous unsuccessful attempts - fails to put the interests of the nation first. Moreover, choosing to send only one team when India was entitled to two denies two highly accomplished players of the privilege and opportunity to represent the country at the Olympics. This is a sad day for Indian tennis from all perspectives.

"We are sure that there have been multiple considerations leading to this decision but are hopeful that better sense will prevail before the ITF's team nomination deadline of June 21, 2012. We will continue to make our case to all concerned over the next few days.

"We have no further comments at this time." (IANS)