A ROW HAS erupted within Indian tennis after doubles duo Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna were prevented from competing as a team at the London Olympics.
The All Indian Tennis Association (AITA) has ignored the pair's pleas not to be separated and chosen instead to partner Bhupathi with Leander Paes, a partnership that delivered three grand slam titles before an acrimonious split.
Bhupathi and Bopanna, who are currently playing doubles at Queen's Club in London, have called on AITA to reconsider their decision before the June 21 deadline.
Bopanna is ranked 12th and Bhupathi is 14th.
"We are saddened to learn of the decision of the AITA selection committee to not nominate us for participation in the men's doubles tennis event at the Games," Bopanna and Bhupathi said in a joint statement.
"We have repeatedly and consistently communicated to the AITA our desire to only be considered for selection as a team and not as individuals to be paired with any other players."
