Paes, Bopanna crash out of Rio after first round loss

The Indian pair were defeated by 4-6, 6-7 (6) margin by their opponents.

In the run-up to the Games, a potential pre-London Olympics-like drama was nipped in the bud as Bopanna expressed his preference to partner lower ranked Saketh Myneni instead of Paes in men’s doubles before All India Tennis Association intervened to resolve the matter.

Leander Paes made a bitter exit from his record seventh Olympics on Saturday, claiming his campaign had been sabotaged before eyeing the 2020 Tokyo Games – when he will be 47.

“When 18 Grand Slam victor Leander Paes reached the Village on Thursday afternoon he found that he had no place to sleep. The match got over at 8 and took a 10.45 flight to Rio”.

The Indian duo converted both break points received but gave away seven break points in the first set.

In an exclusive interview with The Times of India, the Indian tennis legend said on Thursday, “I am slightly disappointed that having played six Olympics for India, I haven’t been given a place to stay”.

From serious contenders the Indian tennis doubles duo of Rohan Bopanna and Leander Paes have become the butt of all jokes.

Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna crashed out of the men’s doubles event in the very first round to end India’s hopes in one of the most controversial events. May be you all can tell me how to view it.

With Paes arriving late, Bopanna had to make arrangement for practice with Serbia’s Nenad Zimonjic. “May be you pull Lee down to this level so that you can understand what it takes”, the 43-year-old tennis star, who has 18 Grand SLam titles (doubles and mixed doubles combined), said. There is a lot of hard work you need to do to continue playing at this age.

It is the first time that four Indian paddlers had qualified for the Summer Games.

“I’m a young player”.

“There is also talk of me refusing to share a room with my doubles partner Rohan Bopanna, which is false and meant to unsettle our preparations for the competition”. Das had qualified for her second Olympics after making the debut in Athens 12 years ago. They won only 59 of the total 132 points played in the match. Walking in to the opening ceremony. He said that the timing of his arrival and stay at the Games Village was according to plans and known to the team.