AITA, Bopanna in selection row

New Delhi, July 19: The All India Tennis Association on Monday condemned the “inappropriate and baseless” comments by Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna, who accused the federation of misleading “everyone” by wrongly claiming that it had paired him with Sumit Nagal for the Tokyo Olympics.

The AITA had paired Bopanna and Divij Sharan for the men’s doubles event but the team failed to make the cut because of its low combined rank of 113.

However, after Nagal made the cut for the men’s singles on July 16, AITA saw hope in getting a men’s doubles team’s entry since singles players were being given the priority to fill the doubles draws. The AITA announced that it has changed the combination by pairing Bopanna with Nagal.

Bopanna, 41, on Monday countered AITA’s claim. “ITF has never accepted an entry for Sumit Nagal & myself. ITF was clear that no changes were allowed after the nomination deadline (22nd June) unless Injury/Illness. AITA has mislead the players, government, media and everyone else by stating we still have a chance,” Bopanna tweeted.

AITA secretary general Anil Dhupar said they did reach out to the ITF for changing the nomination.

Reacting to Bopanna’s tweet, Sania wrote, “Whaaattt??? If this is true then it’s absolutely ridiculous and shameful.. by this it also means that we have sacrificed a very good shot at a medal in the mixed doubles if you and I would have played as planned. We were both told that you and Sumit’s names have been given.”

However, the question of missing out on a shot at medal in the mixed doubles does not arise since Bopanna could not qualify for the men’s doubles. Only those players can play the mixed event who are part of the singles or doubles draw. — PTI