New Delhi, June 21 (IBNS) The All Indian Tennis Association (AITA) president Anil Khanna reiterated that Leander Paes and Sania Mirza will be paired in the mixed doubles’ category in London.
"Sania and Leander will play the mixed doubles for India at the Olympics," Khanna said. "Things are settled. Leander will play with Sania. That is final."
After AITA announced that Paes would partner with Vishnu Vardhan and Mahesh Bhupathi with Rohan Bopanna, Paes apparently wanted an assurance that Sania would only pair with him.
Khanna said that Paes had not demanded any assurances and said that final entries have been sent to International Tennis Federation (ITF).
"It would be unfortunate if Leander backed out. Obviously Leander will be disappointed, but AITA has endorsed the decision. Leander is disturbed, but we have tried to explain to him and to convince him. He had not decided. We will be able to convince him," he said.
"It is unfortunate that both players (Rohan and Mahesh) did not agree to play with Leander. We are unhappy Rohan and Mahesh have not cooperated, but we decided not to punish them as the country's pride was involved. Whatever action has to be taken (against the two players) will be taken after the Olympics. Mahesh Bhupathi should be pleased that we did not take any action against him," he said.
