India suspends Olympic rebels over doubles row
Rohan Bopanna (left) and Mahesh Bhupathi in a Davis Cup World Group play-off match against Netherlands in this file picture in Zwolle, September 20, 2003— Reuters picNEW DELHI, Sept 16 — India’s tennis association has handed doubles specialists Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna a two-year suspension from Davis Cup for their refusal to partner Leander Paes in this year’s London Olympics.
The three players figured in an ugly row ahead of the Olympics that forced the All India Tennis Association (AITA) to change their original decision to field Paes and Bhupathi as a pair.
Paes eventually partnered rookie Vishnu Vardhan while India had a second pair in Bhupathi and Bopanna but neither returned with a medal from London.
“It is ... decided not to consider Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna for selection to play for India until June 30, 2014,” AITA secretary Bharat Oza said in a statement late yesterday.
After regular pair Bhupathi-Bopanna refused to be separated for the London Games, the AITA indicated action would be taken against them.
The AITA has decided to retain the current Davis Cup squad, which does not include Paes, for next year’s Asia/Oceania group matches. — Reuters
