Focussed on playing sport not politics: Paes

June 29, 2012 11:33

Ending days of speculation, Indian tennis veteran Leander Paes has confirmed his participation in the London Olympics setting aside his initial fury at being paired with a lower-ranked Vishnu Vardhan in men's doubles.

"I am looking forward to representing my country with the teams that the All India Tennis Association have selected," Paes said after winning his Wimbledon first-round match in the men's doubles with regular Czech partner Radek Stepanek.

After days of maintaining a stoic silence on his Olympic participation, Paes said despite being left disheartened by the controversy, he is focussed on playing "sport and not politics".

The 39-year-old had threatened to withdraw from the Olympics despite being India's number one doubles player after being paired with Vardhan for the big event.

Paes' partners of choice -- Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna -- refused to combine with him and insisted on being sent as a team themselves. The All India Tennis Association ultimately bowed to their insistence, leaving Paes furious. If that was not enough, his mixed doubles partner for the Games -- Sania Mirza -- also took a potshot at Paes by claiming that she was used as a "bait" to pacify him.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Phase 5: Rae Bareli, Amethi go to polls on Monday

Besides Defence Minister Singh (Lucknow), Minister of Women and Child Development Irani (Amethi), those in the fray are Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Kaushal Kishor (Mohanlalganj) and Minister of State of Consumer...

Delhi sizzles at 44.4 degrees C, 'red alert' for heatwave

The India meteorological department predicted mainly clear skies with heatwave conditions in many parts of Delhi and severe heat wave conditions in other areas.

Day after Adhir snub, Kharge's posters defaced outside Bengal Cong HQ

Unidentified persons also wrote 'agent of Trinamool Congress' on Kharge's posters and hoardings.

Dayal's Redemption: From Rinku's sixes to stopping Dhoni

A beaming father Chandrapal, said that the son told his mom that he was confident of stopping the legendary MSD on his tracks.

In Pictures - Prabhsimran, Jitesh steer PBKS to imposing total vs SRH

Images from the IPL match between Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad, at the Rajiv Gandhi stadium, Hyderabad, on Sunday.