Tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi on Wednesday justified his decision to prefer Rohan Bopanna ahead of Leander Paes to represent India at the Beijing Olympic Games, saying the combination may not be the best but at least it has the preparation required to compete at the professional level.
"I don't feel that there are pretty good chances of winning with Rohan that's for sure, but we will definitely go more prepared," Bhupathi said.
"We (Bopanna and he) have played together at the end of the day... In today's age professional sport is so tough you got to see what's going on today and that's the bottomline," said the multiple Grand Slam winner, who will partner Bopanna at the upcoming French Open.
Bhupathi wrote an e-mail to AITA, saying there is no point in playing with Paes "without communication and preparation" and he would rather like to partner Bopanna in the quadrennial event. The AITA, however, has made it clear that there will be not change in team.
The 33-year-old player said he does not see a podium finish for the Indian tennis team at the Beijing Games.
"Four years ago we made an effort, we played few tournaments, built a team around us and we still fell short. Four years later, we are older and competition is much tougher.
"I am happy to go prepared but as I said in a letter to the AITA, time is too short... it's too late for anything to happen, unfortunately," he said.
"I love to play Olympics. I have played three already. It's not about competing any more. I will go for India and enjoy it. We have to go there with a chance to win. I think after the kind of communication and preparation we (Paes and he) have or lack of it, honestly, we don't have a chance, but I feel it's not going to be this year," Bhupathi said.
Bhupathi also hit out at the All India Tennis Association for not facilitating any preparation or planning for the Games.
"I don't understand how AITA is making comments like that... they are just throwing it on my face; I am not allowed to voice my opinion or make a decision. I guess they are the powerhouse so they can do what they want. I just have to keep quiet and respect the decision.
"I have voiced my concern to all parties concerned many, many weeks ago but nothing has been done. I have no communication. I think it's for me to get out of this mess," he said.
