A war of words has erupted between two of India’s most prestigious tennis stars and their national association in regards to the Olympic qualification criteria.
Rohan Bopanna, who has been ranked as high as No.3 in the men’s doubles, has accused India’s governing body AITA of misleading ‘players, government, media and everyone’ on social media. Bopanna and Divij Sharan were initially nominated to play in Tokyo but they were unable to get direct entry as their combined ranking were not high enough. It was then said that the AITA would instead replace Sharan with Sumit Nagal, who is playing in the singles.
However, this didn’t happen as it is not allowed under the rules set out by the International Tennis Federation. Changes can be made to the nominations after July 22nd unless for extenuating circumstances such as injury or illness.
“AITA just confirmed that despite receiving the message from ITF, the entry of Sumit and me cannot be considered. Why did they still mislead everyone that Sumit Nagal & myself still had a chance and mislead everyone. Thank you AITA for clarification for exactly what I said,” Bopana tweeted Monday.
Three-time Grand Slam champion Sania Mirza, who will be playing in the women’s doubles draw at the Olympics, also hit out at the AITA and backs up Bopanna’s claim that he was told Sumit could replace another player.
“If this is true then it’s absolutely ridiculous and shameful..by this it also means that we have sacrificed a very good shot at a medal in the mixed doubles if you and I would have played as planned. We were both told that you and Sumit’s names have been given,” she said.
The tennis player’s remarks have been blasted by Anil Dhupar, who is the secretary-general of the AITA. On their Twitter account the AITA said ‘comments by Rohan Bopanna and then Sania Mirza are inappropriate, misleading and without knowledge: they should have checked the rule book of ITF regarding qualifications.’
In an interview with NDTV Dhupar said Bopana “shouldn’t be dependent on withdrawal of other players” in order to play at the Olympics. He has also denied misleading anybody and insisted players were not told they could play.
“We have not misled, we have tried our best to have them on board, they have not made it because of their rankings. If they haven’t accepted Rohan and Sumit then Rohan and Divij’s nominations is still there. We are still trying to send Sumit, what can I do if Rohan’s name is not accepted by ITF,” said Dhupar.
Since those remarks, an audio recording between him and Bopana have been published in which he is allegedly heard saying that the ITF had accepted his entry. Contradicting a previous statement issued by the federation.
Boria Majumdar, who is a Consulting Editor for Indian Today, has published part of the phone conversation allegedly between the two.
The AITA is yet to comment on the audio recording.
Transcript:-
BOPANNA: Hello Anil sir, how are you doing?
DHUPAR: Bas theek hai, I am waiting for tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed, maybe we get some good news tomorrow.
BOPANNA: I saw Berrettini has pulled out sir..,
DHUPAR: Who?……………………….I am saying that I am expecting some good news tomorrow, be ready, that’s all.
BOPANNA: Sumit and my entry is fourth as of now?
DHUPAR: It is in fourth……..Sumit and yourself because your and Divij is out of the question.
BOPANNA: ITF has accepted that?
DHUPAR: That they have accepted the nomination.
