Leander Paes will pair up with Rohan Bopanna in the men’s doubles at the Rio Olympics this August.
“We feel that Bopanna partnering Paes is the best possible combination for India,” All India Tennis Association (AITA) president Anil Khanna informed on Saturday to end all speculation after a selection committee meeting.
The mixed doubles sign-in will be on the spot in August at the Games but the committee nominated the names of Bopanna and Sania Mirza for the event.
“We require a good cut off for the event. With Bopanna ranked No 10 in men’s doubles and Sania being the top player in women’s doubles, we are assured of a good position,” Khanna added.
Sania is to partner Prarthana Thombare (ranked 209) in the women’s doubles.
With Paes recently winning his second career Grand Slam after a triumph in the mixed doubles at Roland Garros, did the thought of a combined ranking of 47 (Paes is ranked 46) cross the mind at the meeting? “We did think of that but felt the combination of Bopanna and Sania would be better. Sania plays the right court while Bopanna plays the left. It will give Sania better support,” Khanna explained.
Paes prefers the right court, too.
Though Bopanna had preferred to play with world No 125 Saketh Myneni at Rio, the selectors went by rankings. With Bopanna and Paes being the top two players for India, it was an obvious choice for a medal bet. This ensures that Paes will become the only tennis player to have participated in seven Olympic Games.
