The whole episode in the Indian tennis scenario can be summarised as throwing tantrums, blackmailing and chauvinism. Thats what the fans got in return of their hard earned taxes spent on sustaining these player's whimsical forms. The All India Tennis Association has been setting a bad precedent to the younger aspiring teens. The issue opened up with the male-doubles team to be sent to the London Olympics 2012. AITA wanted to pair up the two stalwarts Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes as they are the best of the stock. But unfortunately the two had split much earlier with Paes showing the door to Hesh. Keeping that in mind probably the later felt that pairing with the former would be a vain bid. Instead Hesh declared to partner his much acclaimed partner of recent times Rohan Bopanna.
The AITA instead of being strict on its rules, compromised and in the process showed intensions to partner Bopanna with Paes. But again controversy sparked. This time it was Bopanna who raised his voice and refused to partner Paes. What a disgrace to the legend. Later the AITA intervened after the Sports Ministry leaving the ball in its court. Finally AITA decided to send two teams, one with Hesh and Bopanna. The other team was Paes and a little less known Vishnu Vardhan. Another humiliation met to the connoiseur.
In order to correct the flaws already committed, AITA now plans to partner Sania Mirza with Paes for the mixed doubles event. While the woman tennis star has been pioneering with her former doubles partner Hesh and hauled enough victories in his company. Now with this pairing up with another player, though it is with the all time great Paes, seems that the result might vary. And Sania has also voiced her opinion against being used as a bait to pacify the ego of the feuding stalwarts. Another blow to Paes, say critics.
Atleast now the AITA must wake up and take a hard stand on erring players. We Indians donot consider playing or winning at the London Olympics as important but it is the honour of playing for the nation important. Should the stalwarts realise this then the commotion would not have arised. But AITA has to expose who is behind this political drama and severely deal with them feel critics. (With inputs from internet- AW AarKay)
