Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna has named Saketh Myneni as his preferred doubles partner for the upcoming Rio Olympics, reported NDTV. He made his preference known to the All India Tennis Association on Friday, after winning a direct acceptance to the Olympics, having finished in the top 10 of the ATP’s men’s doubles ranking.
“A direct acceptance provides me the right to nominate my men's doubles partner, an opportunity for me to exercise my judgement as to the best possible partner for me. I have, earlier today, communicated my decision to the AITA," said Bopanna in a statement issued to the media.
Although the Bengaluru boy has made known his preferred partner, the final decision will be made by AITA selectors.
Bopanna’s choice of Myneni over veteran Leander Paes has brought back memories of the 2012 London Olympics controversy. While Bopanna and Mahesh Bhupathi paired up, Paes was forced to play with Vishnu Vardhan. India returned home without a medal in 2012 with poor team selection cited as one of the biggest reasons.
Paes, had, recently stated that Bopanna and him were the best pairing for India at the Rio Olympics.
Bopanna’s decision to choose Myneni over the 41-year-old star had many on Twitter fuming.
The egoistic fools in Indian tennis will ensure India never reaches its potential. Poor attitude from Rohan Bopanna.
— Chirag Gupta (@ChiragG14) June 10, 2016
So no lesson learnt from 2012 Olympic debacle.I had higher hopes of medal from Tennis in Rio. Not now after Rohan Bopanna decision.
— piyush karvande (@piyushkarvande) June 10, 2016
Rohan Bopanna and Leander Paes dont have to be friends, when nation calls. you answer the call keeping country first..#AITA
— Man of Justice (@SuperGops) June 10, 2016