NEW DELHI, 7 August 2004 — Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi go to Athens determined to put aside their personal differences to make a strong bid to win an Olympic tennis doubles gold for India.
The former world champions, nicknamed the Indian Express, showed they meant business by winning the Toronto Masters title on Aug. 1 in their first tournament appearance together in more than a year.
It was a remarkable comeback for Paes and Bhupathi, winners of three Grand Slam doubles titles, who split in 1999 but join hands off and on to play for India in the Davis Cup or major international meets like the Olympics and Asian Games. Winning the Toronto event was just the tonic the pair needed before heading for Athens to realize their dream of winning an Olympic gold together.
“The chemistry is as good as it was in 1999, if not better,” said the 30-year-old Bhupathi. “I think we will be strong contenders for the gold.”
The exploits of Paes and Bhupathi are a paradox of modern sport. They avoid each other’s company unless it is absolutely necessary. But throw them together on the same side of a tennis court and it appears they never parted ways. Since 2002, the duo have played together in 17 matches and won all, including the Asian Games final in Busan and five Davis Cup rubbers. Few will want to discount their chances at Athens.
Paes, 31, who won the singles bronze at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, says all he does these days is dream of winning the doubles gold in his fourth and final appearance at the Games.
“I want nothing more and you can bet I will try my hardest to get there,” said Paes, who was sidelined for six months last year with a non-malignant lesion in his brain.
The Olympics are quite literally in Paes’ genes. He was conceived during the 1972 Munich Games which his parents attended: father Vece representing India in field hockey and mother Jennifer in basketball.
Paes said he had promised his father he will play in four Olympics and is now a step away from keeping his word, having been a member of the Indian contingent since the 1992 Games in Barcelona.
Bhupathi conceded he was surprised how quickly he and Paes adjusted together at Toronto last week.
“I was certain we will pick up fast, but it looked we had not broken up at all,” he said. “I suppose that comes with experience.
“We played high quality tennis, especially in the semis and final. In the second round we showed great character in coming back from a set and a break down.
“These are positive signs for Athens. We may still have one bad day at the Olympics but I am confident we have the drive to go far.”
Both players confirmed the partnership was only till the Olympics. Paes will reunite with David Rikl while Bhupathi goes back to Max Mirnyi — till another commitment for India comes around like the Davis Cup.
