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Dubai: The Leander Paes camp feels it was "gutless" on part of members of the Davis Cup team to have complained to the national tennis body seeking his removal as non-playing captain. The players, led by senior pro Mahesh Bhupathi, have written to the All India Tennis Association (AITA), charging him of undermining team spirit and refusing to play under him in future.
As a storm was brewing over the new twist to the simmering tension between the two icons of Indian tennis yesterday, Dr Vece Paes, Leander's father and doctor of the Davis Cup contingent said: "In the post-tie meeting, when Leander asked them to review the fixture against Uzbekistan and asked for suggestions, nobody said anything.
"Then suddenly, one learns about the letter...it's most unfortunate," Paes Sr told Gulf News from Kuala Lumpur.
Though the stand-off resulted with Paes refusing to field Prakash Amritraj in the opening singles, the perception is Bhupathi has played the leading role in the 'revolt.' Dr Paes, however, feels it should not come in the way of the two coming together for a last shot at the Olympic doubles gold in Beijing.
"As both are rungs higher on the ATP doubles list, they are the automatic choice to lead the Indian challenge. You cannot deprive India from fielding it's best possible team," he said.
Gastro-enteritis attack
Recalling the Amritraj issue, Dr Paes tried to put things in perspective: "He (Prakash) had joined the squad the previous Friday, but developed an attack of acute gastro-enteritis the next day after coming back from a party. He was suffering from de-hydration and weakness, and under such circumstances, one normally takes about four to five days to recover and be match-fit for an international fixture as this.
"Rather than fielding a half-fit Prakash, the team management decided to field Somdeb Dev Burman, a promising 21-year-old. Prakash, of course, came back on the third day of the tie and won the decider for us," Dr Paes said.
India take on Japan in their next Cup tie in April.
Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, who were once the world No. 1 doubles pair in 1999, have had a history of troubled relationship. Called the 'Indian Express,' they won three Grand Slam doubles titles before the most publicised divorce in Indian sport came about. Ever since then, the two have played with a series of partners and enjoyed occasional success as well, but the hype was missing. Paes and Bhupathi now come together for national commitments only, though their stand-off after the Doha Asian Games had left a sour taste in the mouth.
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