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‘Difficult without preparation’

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: A negative portrayal in a section of the media which suggests that he was the cause for the current Olympic feud, pains Mahesh Bhupathi. According to the Indian ace, the “unnecessary controversy” generated by his decision not to play in the Olympics with Leander Paes without any adequate preparations, was totally misplaced.

According to sources close to the player, since November 2007, Mahesh Bhupathi had been desperately trying to establish contacts with AITA and Leander Paes to stress the need for the Indian duo playing together ahead of the Olympics. His attempts simply had gone in vain. “On several occasions he had tried to raise the subject, including during the Davis Cup tie against Japan, which he played solely to be in contention for the Olympcis “, sources pointed out.

Too big an event

The crux of Bhupathi’s argument was, Olympics is too big an event to be taken lightly and the Indian pair cannot rest on its past laurels and has to prepare in earnest, playing at least three tournaments together before the Olympics. There was no positive response to his suggestions, which had hurt him to no end.

“I am willing to sacrifice just to be prepared for the Olympics, but that can not happen without us playing together in a few tournaments. The best bet for India is Leander Paes and Bhupathi together, but going into a field where there are many younger and hungrier pairs, a good preparation is a must,” said Bhupathi.

Not the same

Neither Leander Paes at 35 nor Bhupathi at 34, are spring chickens on the court and both had slowed down considerably. Returns which were Bhupathi’s biggest and potent weapon have lost a bit of their sharpness. Their victory together in the Davis Cup tie apart, Leander Paes did not exactly look like the tiger on the court that he once was. Given their personal differences, it is hard to expect an instant chemistry, once they are put on the court. They certainly need a few outings together to recapture the magic before the big event.

The AITA move to hold a preparatory camp ahead of the Olympics in July also doesn’t cut any favour with the Bhupathi camp.

What kind of camp is needed for two players, who have won 17 Grand Slam doubles titles between themselves? More than the camp, what is needed are tournaments together, if that doesn’t materialise after the Wimbledon in June, there is a very remote chance of Bhupathi taking the court at Beijing.

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