Bhupathi doesn't want to represent India anymore

[Ashutosh]

Bhupathi doesn't want to represent India anymore

Mumbai: Indian ace Mahesh Bhupathi on Monday sent shock waves by saying he does not want to represent India in future big events, including upcoming Asian Games.
"I have been contemplating it for a long time. I have already informed Anil Khanna (AITA secretary general) about it. But I will think over it for a few more days before coming to a final decision," Bhupathi told reporters after clinching the Kingfisher Airlines Men's Tennis Open doubles crown with Croatian Mario Ancic in Mumbai. Bhupathi did not reveal the reason for his decision but a Kolkata daily quoted him saying that the decision was due to refusal of Leander Paes to play with him in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics. Paes and Bhupathi, popularly known as 'Indian Express' with three Grand Slam title to their credit, had reached the doubles semifinals in Athens where they lost to Ancic and Ivan Ljubicic after a gruelling fight. Bhupathi said if he cannot win a medal for India, which he feels is possible if he combined forces with Paes, there was no point in him continuing to offer his services for national duty like the Davis Cup, Asian Games and Olympic Games. Incidentally, Bhupathi and Ancic defeated Paes and his makeshift parner Aisam Qureshi in three sets in the doubles quarter finals in Mumbai.