www.expressindia.com - Weather | Horoscope | Stocks | RSS
expressindia web city
HomeBlogsCricketAstrologyShopping TendersClassifieds Opinions Hotels
Sign In / Register | Archive
Expressindia » Story

Mixed doubles crown a balm for Mahesh Bhupathi

Font Size

Agencies

Posted: Feb 01, 2009 at 1656 hrs IST
Mahesh bhupathi

Melbourne Tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi said Sunday's mixed doubles title in the Australian Open came as a relief to him after the heart-breaking defeat in men's doubles final on Saturday night.

Bhupathi said he was worried about the possibility of going home empty-handed but the mixed doubles title he won partnering Sania Mirza helped him avoid a double whammy.

"We lost a tough one last night. Obviously we were a bit down. But (we) tried to stay as positive as possible in the final today. Getting through was big," said Bhupathi after winning his seventh mixed doubles title, second at Melbourne Park after the 2006 triumph partnering Swiss Martina Hingis.

"Both my coach, trainer and obviously Sania, they were trying to keep me as positive as possible. But going home without a title after making two finals just crossed my mind a few too many times today in the match. But it didn't happen. Happy about that," added Bhupathi after he and Sania became the first Indian mixed doubles pair to lift a Grand Slam title following their 6-3 6-1 win against the French-Israeli combine of Nathalie Dechy and Andy Ram.

Their win rounded off a brilliant Indian campaign at the season's first Grand Slam after Yuki Bhambri became the first Indian to clinch the boys' singles title in Melbourne.

The 34-year-old Bhupathi said he wants to continue playing with Sania in the remaining three Grand Slams as well.

"Well, you know, for us, it's always four slams where we have the opportunity to play mixed. Ideally I'd like to continue playing with her, now that we're doing so well," he said.

Bhupathi said he might even consider organising a mixed doubles tournament in India once the global economic recession gets over.

"We might consider an exhibition. I don't know, you know, maybe once the economy turns around across the world, we'll look at it. Obviously I think millions and millions of people watched this match today. Any time Sania plays at home, there's a lot of people watching," he said.

Looking back at the men's doubles final in which he and Mark Knowles squandered a set's lead to go down 6-2 5-7 0-6 against American brothers Mike and Bob Bryan, Bhupathi rued missing the chances that his team got.

"We dominated the first two sets. We had our chances. We didn't take them. When you don't against the Bryans, that's tough," he said.

Asked whether he was expecting a grand reception on his return to India, Bhupathi said he prefers to keep it low profile and would rather like Sania to hog the limelight.

"Well, hopefully (the reception is) not too big. I'm not a big fan of receptions. I'd like to sneak out the back door at the airport tomorrow," he said.

"I know for a fact the whole country's excited now. It's her (Sania's) first slam. She's been in the news for the last four years. I think a lot of good players in the past have won a slam in either doubles or mixed and then gone on to do better things, like Lleyton Hewitt.

"Even Venus and Serena, they won their first slams in mixed. They were confident to move up in singles," he added.

Bhupathi said he might even consider organising a mixed doubles tournament in India once the global economic recession gets over.

"We might consider an exhibition. I don't know, you know, maybe once the economy turns around across the world, we'll look at it. Obviously I think millions and millions of people watched this match today. Any time Sania plays at home, there's a lot of people watching," he said.

Looking back at the men's doubles final in which he and Mark Knowles squandered a set's lead to go down 6-2 5-7 0-6 against American brothers Mike and Bob Bryan, Bhupathi rued missing the chances that his team got.

"We dominated the first two sets. We had our chances. We didn't take them. When you don't against the Bryans, that's tough," he said.

Asked whether he was expecting a grand reception on his return to India, Bhupathi said he prefers to keep it low profile and would rather like Sania to hog the limelight.

"Well, hopefully (the reception is) not too big. I'm not a big fan of receptions. I'd like to sneak out the back door at the airport tomorrow," he said.

"I know for a fact the whole country's excited now. It's her (Sania's) first slam. She's been in the news for the last four years. I think a lot of good players in the past have won a slam in either doubles or mixed and then gone on to do better things, like Lleyton Hewitt.

"Even Venus and Serena, they won their first slams in mixed. They were confident to move up in singles," he added.

Discuss this story on expressindia forums
Post Comments
Name* Email ID*
Subject* Country*
Message*
Characters remaining
 
TERMS OF USE: The views, opinions and comments posted are your, and are not endorsed by this website. You shall be solely responsible for the comment posted here. The website reserves the right to delete, reject, or otherwise remove any views, opinions and comments posted or part thereof. You shall ensure that the comment is not inflammatory, abusive, derogatory, defamatory &/or obscene, or contain pornographic matter and/or does not constitute hate mail, or violate privacy of any person (s) or breach confidentiality or otherwise is illegal, immoral or contrary to public policy. Nor should it contain anything infringing copyright &/or intellectual property rights of any person(s).
I agree to the terms of use.
NEED FOR OPTIMAL UTILISATION OF SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE by ASHIM KUMAR CHATTERJEE on 02 Feb 2009

Success of Indians in tennis is ultimately the result of interest of Indian middle class in this sports. One finds most of Delhi public schools boast of tennis facilities because of glamour that this sport has acquired. But public school sports infrastructures are not fully utilised. One does not understand why these facilities cannot be opened to general public at reasonable fees. This will give neccesary shot to Indian sports, without huge requirement of funds. In Delhi, where most of the public schools got their land at highly subsidised price, should be directed to open up their premises for sports and other community activities under well thought out guidelines for users. Why spend more when existing facilities are so underutilised.

Latest News

Business

Showbiz

Sports

India can't quiz Headley, Rana in US: NSA Jones

‘Peeved’ Smita Thackeray on her way to join Cong

Again, India votes against Iran’s nuclear programme

China-Pak military nexus a matter of serious concern: Antony

Attacks on Indian students not racism: Oz Senate panel

Suicide attacks a curse for Muslims: Saudi Grand Mufti

26/11 fallout: Mumbai top cop Maria wants to quit

More
Featured Services
© 2009 The Indian Express Limited. All rights reserved
The Indian Express Group | Advertise With Us | Privacy Policy | Feedback | Work With Us | Site Map