PAES SAYS HE IS AVAILABLE FOR NATIONAL DUTY
With Serbia travelling to India for the Davis Cup in September all bets are off. After Mahesh Bhupathi threw his name in the hat, Leander Paes has also said that he might be available for the World Group playoff tie. Paes had, earlier this year, made himself unavailable for the tournament this season due to personal reasons.
With Serbia traveling to India for the Davis Cup in September, all bets are off.
After Mahesh Bhupathi threw his name in the hat, Leander Paes has also said that he might be available for the World Group playoff tie. Paes had earlier this year made himself unavailable for the tournament this season due to personal reasons.
“I have never shied away from the call of duty,” said Paes in Mumbai on Sunday, on the sidelines of the Spirit of CCI event, when asked if he would play in the marquee clash. “It’s not about an individual tie or because we are playing Serbia, it is about what is required. And if the team needs me I will be there.”
While the fate of the tie rests a lot on Novak Djokovic’s decision to play or skip it, Paes said the doubles point will be crucial either way.
“Doubles is going to be very important in that match. Yes, Djokovic playing will make it very difficult, but even if he doesn’t, Serbia have a lot of depth. They have (Janko) Tipsarevic, (Viktor) Troicki and (Illja) Bozoljac. If India can win the doubles rubber it might take some pressure off the singles.” STRONG OPPONENT In Nenad Zimonjic, multiple Grand Slam champion and world number 13, Serbia also have a potent weapon in doubles. While Rohan Bopanna and Saketh Myneni won both their doubles rubbers this year, against the Chinese Taipei and in South Korea, India might look for experience to give them the edge.
Bhupathi, who fell out with the All India Tennis Association ( A I TA ) after the London Olympics fiasco, hasn’t been picked for the Davis Cup since and announced at the beginning of the year that he would retire after Wimbledon.
But the 39-year-old this week said that he would play if AITA ask him to.
With the Serbia tie still far away, Paes is as of now concentrating on his rehab. The 40-year-old said he picked up a freak hamstring injury while in Mumbai and might miss out on at least the start of the clay season.
“I don’t know how much of the clay season I will be able to play. Radek (Stepanek, his regular partner on tour) does not play the French Open anyway since he has a sponsor Challenger event back in his country (Czech Republic). So, let’s see how things go,” said the world No 10, who has played only five tournaments this year.
“Fitness is my priority right now. So is my daughter (Aiyana). I have a lot of things happening on the personal front too. I have to sort out a few things and make sure I get fit for Wimbledon and US Open. I don’t have too many points to defend before Wimbledon anyway.”