Business Standard

Tennis impasse likely to continue for a few more days

Image

Press Trust of India New Delhi

Despite Paes' reservations, All India Tennis Association (AITA) had partnered him with 206th ranked Vishnu Vardhan for the men's doubles but he was assured of a pairing with Sania for the mixed doubles event.

The AITA was forced to give in to the demand of Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna that they be sent as a team to London after initially selecting Paes and Bhupathi as the lone Indian entry.

Sania, on the back of her recent French Open victory, is likely to get a wild card entry either in the singles or the women's doubles draw with Rushmi Chakravarthy.

 

In case she does not get it, Paes' chances of winning a medal at Olympics will diminish since his combination with Vardhan may not survive long in the tough men's doubles field.

So, if Sania misses out on getting a wild card entry, Paes may decide against competing in the Games as realistically he stands a medal chance only in mixed doubles.

AITA had made the team announcement on Thursday but Paes has not yet made it clear if he will carry out his boycott threat or will accept the compromise deal.

"So he perhaps is waiting for June 28 before revealing what he intends to do," according an AITA source. More

  

Don't miss the most important news and views of the day. Get them on our Telegram channel

First Published: Jun 23 2012 | 5:05 PM IST

Explore News