Mahesh Bhupathi needs no introduction. He is one of the pioneers of Indian tennis and is one of the best doubles player in the world, with 12 Grand Slams to boast of. After being recently been banned by the AITA from representing India for the next two year, he has decided to protest the decision. In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda correspondent Taruka Srivastav, Bhupathi spoke about his reaction to the ban.
Are you planning to take any action against the AITA? If yes, what would that action constitute?
Bhupathi: Yes, it’s high time; someone has to stand up if we have to save the future of Indian tennis. My lawyers are working on it and we will let you know soon. A ban is the saturation point and I couldn’t take it anymore.
Did AITA sent you any letter regarding the ban?
Bhupathi: No. A reporter told me about it and showed me a press release by the AITA. I have done so much for the country and Indian tennis, therefore I deserve some respect and explanations.
You have claimed that the AITA’s decision is based on personal vendetta. Can you please tell us what has led the AITA to have a personal vendetta against you?
Bhupathi: Unfortunately, even I haven’t been able to figure out what problem they have against me. It’s just that I am doing what the federation should be doing in order to promote tennis and I guess that is bothering them a lot.
After all that has transpired between you and the tennis officials in India, do you still have the desire to represent the country in international team competitions?
Bhupathi: I play tennis because I love the game and have given it my whole life. Some oldies heading the association can’t take away my love for my game and my country. That’s what you see. They can stop me playing but they can’t stop my desire of playing and representing my country.
You used to regularly team up with Sania Mirza before the AITA intervened and instructed Sania to partner Leander Paes at the Olympics. After that, Sania was seen paying with British player Colin Fleming at the US Open. Does this mean the end of the Bhupathi-Sania mixed doubles partnership?
Bhupathi: I won’t like to comment about that right now.
Do you think Leander Paes had anything to do with the AITA’s decision to ban you and Rohan Bopanna?
Bhupathi: Of course not. Paes is a great player and whatever he does is always in the best interest of the game. We have been playing together since many years and have immense respect for each other. It’s just that some people seem to be following the divide and rule policy.
Do you think tennis has become a little too politicised in India?
Bhupathi: A little politicised? I would say it’s become a tyrannical rule of one man – Anil Khanna.
Will you still continue to partner Rohan Bopanna?
Bhupathi: See, in all probability, I might quit the circuit next year. Rohan is a young player who still has 8-10 years of tennis left in him. So it’s better to let him play with young partners like Aisam Qureshi or whoever else he chooses.
Why do you say you will quit playing next year?
Bhupathi: Because I am getting old. *laughs*
Is AITA the reason why your Apollo project never took off?
Bhupathi: Apparently, yes. I recieved calls from people saying that AITA approached the company saying that since it heads Indian tennis, the project should be undertaken by them.
Now that you are protesting in the open, how have the reactions of all tennis players and other people from the sports fraternity in India been?
Bhupathi: To be honest, you won’t believe it, but everyone is sympathising and is supporting me. I have received more good luck messages than I have received before playing any Grand Slam. I think every tennis player in India has suffered a lot and it’s just that they don’t have a platform like I do to speak out.
Do you think players should head the associations?
Bhuipathi: Well, I wouldn’t exactly say so. But yes, there should be a combination of administrators and players, as a player would know the kind of difficulties faced by his peers better.
3 Comments
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Ronak Vora Joined Jun,2012 290 pointsAITA shouldn’t have sent Bhupathi and Bopanna at the Olympics..
commented on 19th Sep 2012 at 3:31 pm -
Ashwin Panemangalore Joined 0 points
This reporter has brought Sportskreeda down a couple of notches This is a blatantly slanted interview in favor of Mahesh Bhupathi who first stirred a hornets nest by going to the press on the Olympic selections and then shooting off his mouth repatedly Any amount of contribution to the country’s tennis does not entitle the player to behave like he is Gods own man Kevin Pietersen is a recent example of penalty as a price for indiscipline The English media are taking a neutral stance Why cant you?
commented on 18th Sep 2012 at 7:20 pm
@ Ashwin & @Ronak – I suggest you take the time to read the emails and interview in entirety before passing off drawing room judgements like that. Fact of the matter is that Mahesh and Rohan have always maintained ( and if you care to listen objectively- you will understand) that they did what they believed was in the best tennis interest at Olympics – Like Virginia Wade, the legendary tennis player said – you have 3 guys in the top 15 of the world and two of them have been playing as a team for 7 months while the the other does not get along well with either – isn’t it obvious that you select the better TEAM.
What Mahesh & Rohan have been against is the process of selection which is unilateral and whimsical – while they have been open and kept AITA in the loop about their plans and preparation, AITA has been sleeping and towards the end used the whole process to settle their scores with Mahesh.
Everyone connected with the tennis fraternity knows the kind of service Mahesh has been doing to the sport for years now – you have no idea how difficult it is to support the juniors program with an unresponsive and at times vindictive federation. Still Mahesh managed to promote a sporting ecosystem that AITA with all its resources and authority has not been able to do for years.
Instead of standing by such an iconic athlete and supporter of sport – unfortunately a majority of people are passing on judgements based on half-knowledge or prejudices. God save the sport in our country which has remained personal fiefdoms of a few families, politicians and administrators.