Mahesh Bhupathi is convinced that India will have its first singles Grand slam champion in less than a decade.
NEW DELHI: The country is yet to unearth another sensation after Sania Mirza broke into the horizon a couple of years ago but ace doubles pro Mahesh Bhupathi is convinced that India will have its first singles Grand slam champion in less than a decade.
"I don't see a reason why we cannot have a Grand slam champion in another eight to 10 years. I think we always had the talent but just could not take it to the next level and get them to do well at the Grand slams," Bhupathi, who is in the capital for a talent hunt challenge, said on Sunday.
"With a better system in place, which includes taking proper care of diets and exercise routines, we can have our very own singles champion very soon," he added.
Although his academy in Bangalore is yet to produce any name to reckon with, Bhupathi said he would continue to 'groom' talent there and promised results soon.
"To my mind, Bhupathi Village has been a successful venture. Sania was partly a product of that academy," the 33-year-old pointed out but struggled to give any other name when probed further.
Bhupathi would team up with estranged partner Leander Paes for next year's Beijing Olympics but is unwilling to reveal anything on the duo's plans for the mega event.
Queries on the much-talked about decision taken 'for the country's sake' were met with a stern 'no comments' as the veteran doubles pro chose to sidestep the issue.
Having selected kids as young as five for grooming a Grand slam champion within the next 10 years, Bhupathi rejected suggestions that the children were being burdened too early.
"They are kids but I don't think we are putting any burden on them. They will be groomed professionally," he said.
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