AITA takes a call.
All Indian Tennis Association (AITA), by announcing Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna as men's doubles pair for Rio Olympics, put paid to Bopanna's plan of selecting Saketh Myneni as his doubles partner.
Bopanna, who earned India a direct entry in the men's doubles event courtesy his top-10 rank, had earlier issued a statement to AITA about his preference of Myneni as a partner. "I look forward to representing India at my second Olympics and consider it a privilege, responsibility and honour. A Direct Acceptance provides me the right to nominate my men's doubles partner, an opportunity for me to exercise my judgement as to the best possible partner for me. I am looking forward to the support and good wishes of all concerned in the lead-up to the Olympics," he had said in a statement.
As was expected, the AITA rejected Bopanna's request for Myneni as his partner, saying that India's best chance for a medal at Rio lay in him teaming up with Paes, who won the French Open mixed doubles title earlier this month. "He (Bopanna) has given reasons to selection committee on why he feels Saketh could be a better doubles partner. But he has also made it clear that he wants to represent the nation. It was a well-meaning letter (which Bopanna wrote yesterday to AITA). Leander and Rohan have played four times in Davis Cup, they have a 2-2 record," AITA President Anil Khanna said.
"Committee decided that the best bet for Indian tennis to win a medal at the Olympics would be Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna," he added.
Khanna then named Bopanna and Sania as the best medal hopes in the mixed doubles category. "The committee has decided to nominate Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza in the mixed doubles competition," he said.
Sania Mirza will partner Prarthana Thombare in women's doubles.
(With agency inputs)
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