Rio 2016: 'It is a dream come true,' Paes says after securing Rio ticket

Paes, winner of 18 Grand Slam titles, expressed gratitude for being selected as the mixed doubles partner of Rohan Bopanna for the Rio Olympics by the AITA.

"To play for the flag has always been the greatest inspiration for me. I am humbled by the love showered upon me by the people. Their overwhelming and unconditional support has been my pillar of strength and motivation throughout my career," Paes said in a statement.

"The honour to represent India at Rio Olympics 2016 is a dream come true. I am thankful to the All India Tennis Association for bestowing me this opportunity to wear the tri-colour on my heart once again," he said. 

Honoured..Humbled..Excited  pic.twitter.com/Cy3iMsqWbt

— Leander Paes (@Leander) June 11, 2016

Bopanna, ranked 10th in the world, had picked world number 125 Saketh Myneni as his preferred partner, putting in doubt the fate of Paes, who last week won the French Open mixed doubles title with Martina Hingis. But AITA decided to pair up Paes with Bopanna. "Committee decided that the best bet for Indian tennis to win a medal at the Olympics would be Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna," AITA chief Anil Khanna told reporters.