'Doubles is about trust and respect, I don't trust Paes'

Mahesh Bhupathi is usually the most recalcitrant of people to interview. He usually grunts his answers and offers monosyllables to the most elaborate questions, Sukhwant Basra reports.

Mahesh Bhupathi is usually the most recalcitrant of people to interview. He usually grunts his answers and offers monosyllables to the most elaborate questions.

However, on Friday he just would not stop talking. After all, the man knows that unless his stand is clarified, a nation will call him a villain for turning down an Olympics berth in the company of Leander Paes. But things are so bad between the two, that Bhupathi is categorical that he won't budge from his stand. He'll either play with Rohan Bopanna or not at all.

Will you go to the London Olympics with Leader Paes?
No.

Why?
I don't believe that we have a chance to do well. I have already tried to live my Olympic medal dream four times with him. Earlier, we had a far better relationship but still did not gel well enough to get a medal. Now that relationship has touched rock bottom. Doubles is not only about serve and volley; it's about mutual respect and trust. I don't trust him after he dumped me without any warning at the end of last year.

Why do you think you have a better chance with Rohan Bopanna?
We have worked together for the last six months with the sole desire to do well at the Olympics. We are the third highest ranked team if you go by nationality. An Olympic medal is the toughest thing to win for a professional athlete. It takes precise preparation and meticulous planning. Rohan and I have done that. Each time I asked Paes to team up in the run up to the Olympics, I was spurned. For Beijing, the federation had to intervene to get him to play two (?) events before the Games. The Olympics cannot be won without any practice or camaraderie.

But won't it be better to play with Paes than to not go at all?
The Olympics have been some of my worst outings as a professional athlete. It hurts to lose. It's plain logic as far as I see it. Olympic losses have been the worst times in my career. I have no interest in repeating the same with no preparation and zero chemistry.

Why is the selection committee not considering your case of sending two team?
I can't figure that out. When we spoke to them multiple members of the selection committee were in favour of sending two teams. Somehow it all changed today.

They changed their mind?
Can't say. Not one of them spoke to us when they were actually supposed to be selecting.

Then who did?
Three members of the executive committee.

That's strange.
You telling me? Both Rohan and I were caught by surprise too.

Do you feel the federation is biased against you?
Don't think the whoIe body is. It's just down to the ego of one man.

Who?
Don't care to take names in public.

What's your next move?
Sit here and sulk that our Olympic dream has been shattered because of inexplicable reasons which are so convoluted that even I am still wondering what just happened?

Why did the federation announce your pairing even when you categorically told them you wouldn't pair with Paes?
Now when Rohan and I refuse, they'll paint us as villains in the media. That can be the only reason to announce a combo that has no chance in hell of making it to London. There have been threats of a two year ban. We'll see how it goes.

Once again, you are certain that neither you nor Bopanna will partner Paes at London?
We are getting tired of repeating this. We have already been telling the AITA this for close to a month. Even your paper has printed our emails to that effect. We are pretty clear; we stand united and we won't back down from this for we feel that we have earned the right to represent our country together. We have devoted six months of our lives to nothing else.