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Bhupathi-Paes could win a medal at Beijing

Special Correspondent

Bangalore: The Indian tennis maestro Vijay Amritraj, who is in town as the Brand Ambassador for the Sunfeast World 10K Run, hailed the reunion of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi for the Beijing Olympics. “It is a sensible decision and they stand a good chance of winning a medal and I hope they play a couple of tournaments prior to the Olympics,” said Amritraj.

Amritraj also commended the Indian Davis Cup team’s recent win over Japan and said, “though I did not get to watch it, it was a good win on all counts and I hope they stay focussed.” Amritraj played a key role in getting Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna and Prakash Amritraj to play under Leander Paes, putting aside the differences. “I am glad that my role had a positive impact. Now it is for them to decide how to go about the future,” said the former Indian ace.

High note

The topic turned to Justine Henin’s premature retirement and Amritraj felt that she went out on a high note. “As she had said, she is going with her head held high. She was a phenomenal player, staying over 100 weeks as World No.1 is something tremendous and it needs a tremendous effort. She is quitting at 25, I personally feel that is the age when a player – man or woman — is at the peak of his or her career,” said Amritraj.

Asked if Henin’s move was due to WTA’s taxing schedule, Amritraj said: “I don’t think it has to do with the schedule. A WTA tour player gets to compete eight or nine months and I don’t think it can cause a burn out. But in Henin’s case, it ought to do with a drop in motivational levels. She had suffered a couple of early defeats during the season and maintaining her top slot could have been a huge pressure on her. Remember Borg too went at 26. Sometimes, however great you are, you feel you just can’t take it any more. But then there are exceptions like Agassi, who stretched his career beyond the limit, guess he enjoyed doing it, while Henin and Borg didn’t, it’s all in the mind,” Amritraj said.

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