Decks were cleared for leander Paes to make a record seventh Olympic appearance after Rohan Bopanna on Saturday accepted him as his men’s doubles partner on the AITA’s insistence, ending days of speculation surrounding the Indian team for the Rio Games.
Bopanna’s original choice was Saketh Myneni but All India Tennis Association (AITA) selection committee felt that Paes and Bopanna are the “best bet”for a medal.
Bopanna will now have two shots at the Olympic medal as he has also been nominated for the mixed doubles event with Sania Mirza, who had also wanted to play him.
Sania will play women’s doubles with Prarthana Thombare, who trains at her academy under her father and coach Imran Mirza.
To ensure that Bopanna and Paes sort out their differences and “discomfort”, the AITA has also named them in the Davis Cup squad for next month’s Korea tie.
In a departure from norms, AITA has named a seven-member team after Paes made himself available and feels that spending a week together before the Games will give them opportunity to bond well.
In all, a major crisis, which had become a trend before Olympic team selection, has been averted this time with Bopanna not defying AITA’s decision.