Though Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi pulling out of India's Davis Cup tie against defending champions Serbia beginning today may be disappointing news to tennis fans across the country, the good news is that both injuries don't appear to be serious
Though Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi pulling out of India's Davis Cup tie against defending champions Serbia beginning today may be disappointing news to tennis fans across the country, the good news is that both injuries don't appear to be serious.
Paes is down with a wrist injury and Bhupathi has a groin problem. While the latter already confirmed on twitter that the couple of injuries should hopefully be minor, Leander too preferred to go by the adage 'a stitch in time saves nine.'
"My wrist has been troubling me for some time and it got aggravated during the Dubai tournament.
"It's nothing serious though. It's an old niggle that has recurred but I cannot afford to take it lightly either.
Since it's giving me a bit of trouble, I thought I'd have it rested and treated as soon as possible," Paes told MiD DAY yesterday. He travels to the US for treatment on Sunday.
As for the disappointment at missing out on doing what he loves to do ufffd play for India ufffd it's obviously there.
u00a0
"To be honest, I was actually looking forward to playing against Serbia so it was a tough call for me to make personally. But I had to do what I did," said Paes, who's been wearing the India colours for over two decades now and is eyeing his sixth straight Olympics in London next year.
In fact, such has been the former Davis Cup skipper's commitment that he has missed just three Cup ties (before this one) in the 21-years he's been part of the competition. For that matter, Friday will be the first time in over two decades that India will go into a Davis Cup tie without either one of the Indian Express duo.
Taking their place in the crucial doubles rubber are the big-serving Rohan Bopanna and Commonwealth (singles) and Asian Games (singles and doubles) gold medallist Somdev Devvarman.
Paes however was not able to put a date to his return to court. "I can't really put an exact date to my return.
"If it were possible, I'd love to be playing against Serbia on Friday. But as a professional sportsperson, one has to listen to the demands of the body," he signed off.u00a0
