Indian tennis is going through its worst phase. Never before the players fought in public to such an extent and it seems to be a never ending saga. It is rare to see players of such high stature washing their dirty linen in public and it is already being considered as one of the worst instance in Indian sports.
Players who are involved in this tussle, Mahesh Bhuptahi, Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna are all thinking about themselves and the larger cause of bring glory for the country is somewhat missing. None of them are willing to set their egos aside and that may just ruin the future of this game.
Leander Paes is synonymous to Indian tennis. He is arguably the best tennis player that India has produced and he is the idol for most of the youngsters. The man who won India the bronze medal in the Atlanta Olympics is regarded very heavily in the country and has been the flag bearer for the country from the past so many years.
Paes has always been a patriotic and has brought out his best whenever he has donned Indian colours. People look up to him and if reports are to be believed he was given the honor of being the flag-bearer for India in the upcoming London Olympics as well. It was sad to see Bopanna and Bhupathi team up against him and refusing to play with him when All India Tennis Federation (AITA) asked them to.
It was amazing to see that both the players refused to play with Paes who has been an iconic doubles players over the years and is respected all round the world. AITA then changed their decision and teamed up Paes with the young Vishnu Vardhan. It is true that it was tough on Paes, but he does have a chance to be a bigger man in this current scenario. But till now there has been no confirmation from Paes’ camp that he will play with Vishnu.
There have been rumours that Paes might pull out of the competition and if that happens it will be very unfortunate and it might just have an adverse effect in the coming times. Paes has always set the right example and he should set one right now as well. Pulling out of the Olympics is not what people want Paes to be remembered for. He is almost at the end of his career and he should set the right examples for the coming generation.
One can only guess what affect it will have on Vishnu Vardhan if Paes refuses to team up with him. Paes has played for India in many Olympics, but for a youngster like Vishnu, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Vishnu has admitted that he has idolized Paes since the time he started playing tennis, but will he continue to do that even when Paes refuses to partner him?
Olympics is a place where people die to participate and Paes will know it better than most people. The man who has given his fans so many reasons to smile must not break their hearts at the fag end of his career.
By Gaurav Jha
Indian Sports News
