Will try to convince Paes if needed: Vishnu Vardhan

Young tennis player Vishnu Vardhan on Wednesday said he would try to convince veteran Leander Paes to play alongside him at the London Olympics if the need arises.

Young tennis player Vishnu Vardhan on Wednesday said he would try to convince veteran Leander Paes to play alongside him at the London Olympics if the need arises.

Vardhan is in the running to partner Paes after Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna refused outright to share the court alongside the 1996 Atlanta Games bronze medallist.

The All Indian Tennis Association (AITA) is racing against time to sort out the selection row as the International Tennis Federation's (ITF) deadline for players entries ends on Thursday.

"I am ready for the challenge if the need arises. I am sure AITA is considering all the options and they will pick the best team," said Vardhan.

"I have grown up watching Leander and Mahesh and they have done so much for the country in the last 20 years. However, I am ready to play if they ask me to," Vardhan, world No. 328, told television channels.

Vardhan said he had not spoken to Paes yet but would try convince him if AITA decides to sent two teams to London with the other one featuring Bhupathi and Bopanna.

"He (Paes) always helps me out with my tennis and we have been in constant touch. But I have not spoken to Leander on the Olympics yet. Probably I will call him now," said Vardhan.