The Hindu : Sport : Olympic Games: Paes ready to play with Bhupathi

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Thursday, Dec 20, 2007
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Olympic Games: Paes ready to play with Bhupathi

Special Correspondent

Paul Hanley to partner the Indian on the ATP Tour

MUMBAI: Tennis ace Leander Paes is ready to partner Mahesh Bhupathi at the Beijing Olympic Games.

He is also looking at working towards world No. 1 ranking on the ATP Tour, teaming up with Australian Paul Hanley at major tournaments starting with the 2008 Australian Open.

“Mahesh is the obvious choice for doubles at Beijing Olympics. I will play the singles in the event of a wildcard coming my way, on the strength of being an Olympic singles medal winner (1996 Atlanta Games bronze). “I do not play singles on the ATP Tour, but am always willing to do so at Davis Cups,” Paes said.

Preparations

Asked about Olympic preparations, Paes said: “Beijing Olympics is still seven months away, so I want to ask the media to give us freedom to choose our own way to prepare. Mahesh had back surgery done so give him time to recover.

“The Davis Cup matches (February and April 2008) is an opportunity when both me and Mahesh will be there. The two of us have such understanding that playing doubles is a matter of continuing from where we left off.”

Paes and Bhupathi, former world No. 1 team, had finished fourth at 2004 Athens Olympics, going down in the bronze medal match to Mario Ancic and Ivan Ljubicic.

Paes understands the pressure of expectations from the Indian people for a medal at Beijing Olympics 2008.

“I know there is pressure on the Indian contingent for an Olympic medal, but rather than feel weighed down by public pressure, I see it as the air beneath my wings which helps me take off,” he said.

“Talking about medal chances about an event (2008 Beijing) scheduled to happen seven months away is premature. Anything can happen in that time. Form can recede; it could also get better".

“Beijing will be my fifth Olympic appearance. I had promised my father (hockey Olympian Dr Vece Paes) four, I will be adding one more to that figure.”

New partner

Australia’s Hanley will be Leander’s new doubles partner on the ATP Tour.

The 30-year-old right-hander, a semifinalist at 2007 ATP Masters Series (Monte Carlo) with Zimbabwe’s Kevin Ullyett, has won 20 doubles career titles, including the 2007 Australian Open men’s doubles title.

“Paul is ranked higher so playing with him, I am looking at the world No. 1 ranking. For that to happen, we need to play together frequently for a chance to get there,” said the Indian, ranked 12 on the ATP doubles ranking list as against Hanley’s 10.

“He has yet to win a Grand Slam, though has all the attributes. I have won many Grand Slams so know what it takes to become a winning combination at major events.”

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