Bhupathi to pair with Leander in Beijing Olympics

Their differences notwithstanding, Bhupathi said he would team up with his estranged doubles partner in the next Olympic Games.

Their differences notwithstanding, tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi on Tuesday said he would team up with estranged doubles partner Leander Paes in next year’s Beijing Olympic Games.

Bhupathi’s relation with Paes reached a flashpoint during the Asian Games in Doha where the duo parted ways.

Bhupathi said pairing with Paes would brighten India’s medal chances and hence the duo decided to bury their hatchet.

Story continues below this ad

“We are looking forward to it (playing together in Beijing). It was a very logical choice because we are one of the medal contenders for the country,” Bhupathi was quoted as saying.

Bhupathi and Paes won three Grand Slam titles — twice at Roland Garros and once at the Wimbledon — together before they decided to part ways.

Though they often put behind personal difference to play together for the country, their relation further soured in the Asian Games, after which Bhupathi said he would not team up with Paes again.

Alleging that Paes, the Davis Cup captain, had questioned his commitment in Doha, Bhupathi vowed not to play together again.

Story continues below this ad

However, the ego clash once again took a backseat as the duo decided to join hands for Beijing and Bhupathi said they would start practising soon.

“We’ve just eight months left and we would soon start our practice,” Bhupathi said.