Advertisement

Help
You are here: Rediff Home » India » Sports » Tennis » Reuters > Report
Search:  Rediff.com The Web
Advertisement
  Discuss this Article   |      Email this Article   |      Print this Article

I will not be playing for India: Bhupathi
Related Articles
Sania moves up four places
Images: Bhupathi's babes
No one after Sania: Bhupathi
Winning at Wimbledon is special: Bhupathi
Get Sports updates:What's this?
Advertisement
October 03, 2006 10:42 IST
Indian doubles specialist Mahesh Bhupathi [Images] said on Monday he would no longer play for his country.

"I spoke to the Federation and they have accepted it," the 32-year-old multiple grand slam winner told Reuters soon after winning the Mumbai Open doubles crown with Croatian Mario Ancic.

"I will not be playing for India but I will continue playing on the Tour and grand slams."

Bhupathi had been expected to partner Davis Cup captain Leander Paes [Images] at the Asian Games in Doha in December and defend the doubles crown.

He felt slighted when the Federation paired top woman player Sania Mirza [Images] with Leander Paes for the Asian Games.

Bhupathi was paired with the lower-ranked Shikha Oberoi.

"Various factors led to it, things were adding up," said Bhupathi, who has won 10 grand slam doubles and mixed doubles crowns.

"I needed to cut down on my playing and prioritise on the men's doubles at the Australian Open, one title that I have not won."

"Two weeks at Doha is not the ideal preparation for the Australian Open," added Bhupathi, who has won four men's doubles grand slams.



© Copyright 2008 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
 Email this Article      Print this Article

© 2008 Rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer | Feedback