Having said that I often wonder whether it would be better for our tennis authorities at the national level to pick a team first and leave the decision of forming doubles and mixed doubles pairs to the wisdom of our icons who keep bringing laurels to our country tournament after tournament.
Lee and Hesh are world renowned tennis players and they should be given the autonomy to read the opposition and decide the playing combination for the given day well in advance. Practicing together they would be able to guage form and fitness and what exactly is required to face their international opponents.
Tennis authorities should carefully facilitate team building, fellow feeling and unity among our established stars. In our post modern democratic set up, would it not be wiser to leave the pairing to the players instead of being over paternalistic to our icons and role models?
Our players have built themselves up from scratch and they need to be respected for what they have achieved and would be achieving. Causing damage and injuring the spirit of our players ahead of the mega event does not speak well of the bosses.
Best wishes to Leander, Mahesh and our tennis fraternity.
I just want to say that Mahesh should think about the country 1st.He is insulting Paes by continuous neglecting his request to play together for India. Don't forget that one time he was the best player for the India.Mahesh should react as a grown up boy. Mahesh,i have no right what so ever to advise you but you should think about the millions of Indians who want to see you and Paes playing together for India. Please leave aside your EGO...........
Whenever i hear of tennis doubles, i just remember Paes-Bhupati. They were and are the best. It was just fab to see them play together and win for the country. I just want to say that Bhupati should play for the country & also they both again start playing in Grand Slams and not just in some specific games. As far as mixed doubles r concerned it doesn't matter, Bhupati is a very gr8 player, he can win with anyone.
It is time that Mahesh should realise, playing for India is the epitome and above self. I do agree that he must have been hurt, but he has to bring glory to the nation. He should come out of the present state of thinking that he will not play for "India" and being a sportsman, he should take everything sportively. I appreciate Paes' efforts in consoling and convincing Mahesh. I am sure, the duo will come out successfully of the meeting.
I do not understand but I have not been able to get over my sheer shock at Bhupathy's decision. If it is only a matter of selection of the mixed doubles pairings, then Mahesh should be banned for playing for life ! If there are larger "designs" involved, Mahesh owes an explanation and those responsible should be brought to book !
When we think of Indian Tennis or our times, only one name comes to our minds and that's Leander Paes. He has always given his very best whenever he played for India and no one else can claim the same. Mahesh is a good doubles player but he can never ever match the spirit Paes generates when he plays for India. From whatever we read in the media, I begin to think that Mahesh must be the one who destroyed our world famous doubles pair! Anyway his ire at not being paired with Sania is very childish and silly. Paes is much above him in ranking and is the one who deserves to be paired with Sania. But then you should be able to put national interest before your interest to understand that!! What a shame!
