Injured Leander Paes today pulled out of the Asian Hopman Cup to regain full fitness ahead of next month's Asian Games in Doha.
Rohan Bopanna, who has been taken in as a replacement for Davis Cup captain Paes, and Sania Mirza will now spearhead the Indian challenge in the six-nation event starting on Thursday.
"Fearing aggravation of the index finger injury which he (Paes) carried till the semifinals of the Masters Cup in Shanghai last week, Paes in consultation with All India Tennis Association has decided to stay out of the Asian Hopman Cup in Hyderabad," an AITA release said.
"The decision has been made keeping in mind the best interests of the nation and allow Leander to recoup and become fully fit for national duty at the more important Doha Asian Games," the release said. Paes, who partnering with Czech Republic's Martin Damm lost in the semifinals of the Masters Cup, was supposed to play alongside Sania Mirza and get some crucial practice for the Asian Games.
