While Mahesh Bhupathi has made it amply clear that he is not ready to partner Leander Paes in the men's doubles at the tennis event in the London Olympics, Paes has said he will play with whoever is chosen by the selection committee.
“I have no reaction to the recent statements made by Mahesh Bhupathi to the media. I have always maintained that I will play with whoever the selection committee and AITA choose and this continues to be my stand,” Paes said in a statement.
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He added that he would prefer to partner Rohan Bopanna, but that too for professional reasons. “It is a well known fact that when asked by the AITA, I have expressed my preference to play with Rohan Bopanna as my partner in the Olympics 2012, based on his physical fitness and big serve.
“To play for our flag, and represent India for the sixtth time at the Olympics, is my greatest honour. I will, as I always have in the past, put my best foot forward,” he added.u00a0
Mahesh Bhupathi-Rohan Bopanna, and Leander Paes-Kevin Anderson were knocked out of the Aegon C’ships here. Bhupathi-Bopanna lost to Max Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor in their quarter-final on Friday. Paes-Anderson lost to Tipsarevic- Zimonjic.