New Delhi, Jun 21 (IBNS): The All India Tennis Association (AITA) on Thursday has to announce India’s representation to the Olympics even as it tackles a crisis over pairing players who refuse to play with each other.
As time runs out for sending a final list to London, India's External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna's appeal to the players to solve their differences appeared to fall on deaf ears as Leander Paes on Wednesday threatened to boycott the Games if he was asked to play with a junior player.
Paes stinging letter came on a day when the All India Tennis Association (AITA) was all set to announce the final pairing for the men's doubles.
AITA will now make the decision Thursday, the last date for submission of entries to the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
The AITA after its marathon meeting that ended late Tuesday night had decided to send two teams - Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna; Leander Paes with either Vishu Vardhan and Yuki Bhambri.
Paes, however, on his part reiterated that he was ready to pair with either Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna but not with a junior player.
"I am comfortable to partner Mahesh or Rohan for the forthcoming Olympics. If Mahesh or Rohan refuse to play with me for our country, then I am happy to play with the next best player that the AITA decides on.
"However, it would not be acceptable, if with my ranking as the best Indian tennis player, I give up the best option of partner for winning a medal for my country and am made to play the Olympics with a player ranked 207/306 in the world while the No. 13 and No. 15 ranked players form another team together based on their refusal to play with me," Paes said in the letter.
Last week, both Bhupathi and Bopanna, who qualify for the Olympics as a team, have refused to pair with Paes.
Paes, who has earned direct qualification, being World No. 7, has the right to choose his partner while Bhupathi and Bopanna can only play as a team at the Olympics.
Bhupathi also wants to pair with Sania Mirza for the mixed doubles event at the Games but only if Mirza gets a wild card entry.
Paes, however, said that he and Mirza have gained a direct entry into the mixed doubles event.
"I have been ATP ranked at No. 1 in the world as a team and No. 7 in the world individually, for the first six months of 2012. By virtue of this, I have got a direct entry into the men's doubles at the Olympics with the right to choose my partner. I would also bring to your notice that Sania and I, by virtue of our combined ranking of No. 19 on the ATP Tour have got a direct entry in the mixed doubles at the Olympics," said Paes.
"If this is the case, then for the sake of Indian Tennis and to relieve the AITA in regards to the selection of the team, I have no other option but to withdraw from the Olympics," Paes said adding that "this decision is not taken lightly and with any rancour".
Paes also said that Bhupathi and Bopanna are setting a bad example for the country.
"We cannot be condoning or rewarding the drama enacted by Mahesh and Rohan. This would be a bad precedent for current and future sports persons (particularly tennis players) in our country," said Paes.
Paes' letter came despite best efforts by Krishna, an honorary president of the AITA.
Krishna asked Bhupathi and Bopanna to solve their problems with Paes for the best interest of the country.
Krishna told the players that they should respect India's interest resolve their individual differences at the earliest. He also told the players that India's image should never compromise for personal issues.