Kolkata: Leander Paes perhaps got the best compliments from his one time friend and doubles partner Mahesh Bhupathi. Terming his association with Leander as the highlight of his illustrious career Bhupathi said, “Let’s put controversies aside. What we achieved as a team (1996-2002) can never be replicated in Indian tennis,” Bhupathi said on the sidelines of a book launch here.
The current non-playing captain of Indian team in Davis Cup feel his recent controversy with Paes was uncalled for.
Of late, the estranged pair has been involved in washing their dirty linen in public, taking potshots at each other following India’s 4-1 win over Uzbekistan in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group 1 Round 2 match in Bengaluru.
Bhupathi termed his former partner’s behavior ‘unprofessional’ for ‘sulking’ after being dropped from the team, and leaving the tie midway through.
Leaving aside the recent controversy, Mahesh heaped high praises on Leander.
“Two kids coming up from below 100 to be no. 1 is amazing. Things didn’t work out for various reasons. We have tried a lot of times and I don’t think you can fault us for not trying.”
He added, “We kept giving our best shot because we know how special a relationship it is for no just us but the country as well,” Bhupathi who formed a formidable doubles partnership with Paes for over 16 years and won 25 ATP doubles title together, including three Majors, said.
In the Davis Cup, the duo stitched a comprehensive record of 23 doubles rubber victories on the trot, right up to the 2010 World Group Play-offs against Brazil that India won 3-2.