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Paes, Bhupathi dejected in defeat
Paes said a "hollow" feeling had gripped Bhupathi and him after the duo suffered a heart-wrenching defeat.
Leander Paes spoke of a "hollow" feeling having gripped his partner Mahesh Bhupathi and him after the duo suffered a heart-wrenching defeat in an epic bronze medal playoff of Olympics men's doubles tennis competition early on Saturday morning.
"It is a huge disappointment. We are feeling a bit hollow at the moment," said Paes after the 6-7 (5/7) 6-4 14-16 defeat to the Croatian pair of Mario Ancic and Ivan Ljubicic in a three-hour-and-58-minute marathon contest.
"We were aiming to win a gold for the country and now we would be returning without any medal," said Paes, despair written large on his face.
India's Davis Cup hero even said he was willing to accept the blame for the defeat as it was his return volley, that crashed into the nets, which gave victory to the Croats.
"It was my fault. These things happen in sport and we have to accept it. We gave it our best shot but unfortunately we could not get the medal," said the 31-year-old.
His 30-year-old partner Bhupathi was equally devastated by the defeat.
"It is very disappointing. We had prepared very hard for the Olympics. Winning an Olympic medal was a dream... But now we will go back without anything," he said.
