Game, set and spat for disputing Davis duo

A simmering feud between tennis stalwarts Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi has boiled over into an ugly public spat following India's latest Davis Cup triumph in Bangalore.

No sooner had the host sealed a 4-1 win over Uzbekistan in Sunday's second round of the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group 1 tie, than Bhupathi lashed out at his former doubles partner, who was dropped from the squad last week.

"We gave him the option (of being part of the squad and playing as a reserve) and he readily took it," Bhupathi, the non-playing Davis Cup captain, said after the win helped India qualify for the World Group playoff.

"So, after that, to sulk about not being in the (playing) four was a bit unprofessional," Bhupathi said of his friend-turned-foe.

Adding fuel to the fire, Bhupathi posted a screen shot of his conversation with Paes on social media aimed at countering Paes' claims that he was dropped in humiliating fashion at the last minute.

The conversation suggested Paes agreed to join the squad despite being told there was no guarantee he would play.

Paes, 43, hit back, accusing 42-year-old Bhupathi of disrespect.

"I was never categorically told that I would not be playing, but it was apparent that the decision was made before I arrived in Bangalore. This is what I found unnecessary and disrespectful," Paes said in a statement.

"That a private exchange has been made public just points to the kind of conduct that I find unbecoming of a Davis Cup captain."

"Talk is cheap. History books, however, don't lie."

Paes, dropped for the first time in 27 years, is just one win away from becoming the most successful doubles player in Davis Cup history.

He and Bhupathi won three Grand Slam titles together between 1999 and 2001.

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 04/12/2017 page22)