Paes, Bhupathi agree to play together

NDTV Correspondent
Tuesday, June 3, 2008 (New Delhi)
The 'Indian Express', Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi have agreed to play together at the Beijing Olympics scheduled to begin in August.

The tennis duo have put their differences behind for the national interest. The two had dinner together in Paris on Monday night. The AITA secretary Anil Khanna met Lee-Hesh and persuaded them to play together.

Bhupathi agreed to play with Paes on a condition that they will play two tournaments together - one on hard court and one on grass court. They also agreed that there would be a one-week of training.

Anil Khanna confirmed the news in a press release.

"Lee and Hesh have decidedd to pair up for two ATP Tour events before the Olympics. The first event will be in the week before Wimbledon at Shertongenbosch on grass in Holland and an ATP event in Indianapollis, which will be held in the second week after Wimbledon," he said.

"Just before going to Beijing and after Cincinnati, Lee and Hesh will get together for a few days training programme with Leander's coach Rick Leach and Mahesh's coach Scott Davidoff and trainer."

"Both players will reach Beijing for the opening ceremony and will have a training session in Beijing for a few days before the tennis competition begins in Beijing," Khanna added.