Asian Games 2018: Tennis great Leander Paes reveals why he pulled out of continental event

Tennis legend Leander Paes has announced his withdrawal from Asian Games 2018, citing the lack of a "specialist" doubles partner for men's doubles at the continental multi-sport event.

Paes, who has won five gold medals at Asian Games, said that the All India Tennis Federation (AITA) ignored his requests to arrange for a "credible second doubles pairing" for the Games.

With top-ranked players Rohan Bopanna (22) and Divij Sharan (32) opting to play together at the Games, Paes (45) was left to choose either out-of-form and inexperienced Sumit Nagal or singles specialist Ramkumar Ramanathan as his partner. 

Notably, the AITA did not include either Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan or Purav Raja — the No. 4 and No. 5 on Indian charts — in the Asian Games squad.

"It is with a heavy heart that I have to say that I will not be playing the upcoming Asian Games in Indonesia," Paes told Press Trust of India.

He added: "Despite my repeated requests, from so many weeks in advance, it is sad that we have not been able to put a doubles specialist in the team for a credible second doubles pairing for the Asian Games.

"Our doubles specialists like Sriram Balaji, Vishnu Vardhan, Purav Raja and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan have been doing exceptionally well this season and one of them definitely deserved to strengthen the Asian Games squad."

Paes did not join the team in Indonesia 

Notably, the Indian tennis contingent had reached Indonesia on Thursday but Paes was missing. Indian captain Zeeshan Ali had revealed earlier that he had "no clue" about the 45-year-old's whereabouts.

Ali had not decided on whom Paes would be pairing at the Games as of Thursday. Notably, Paes had not played on the tour since losing the Citi Open first round to Sharan/Artem Sitak with partner Jamie Cerretani earlier this month.

'Doubles medal for India is almost assured'

Paes also said he was happy to know Bopanna's successful recovery from an injury that had forced the latter to retire from the second round of his Wimbledon campaign.

"I have been in constant touch with Captain Zeeshan Ali and have had long discussions with him with regard to Rohan Bopanna's injury," Paes added. 

"I am happy to learn that Rohan has recovered and as such a doubles medal for India is almost assured. Without his availability, it wouldn't have been fair for me to withdraw as that may have impacted a possible gold from tennis."

Paes was already miffed with the AITA over his exclusion from the Target Olympic Podium (TOP) scheme, in which athletes get financial funding from the government.

At 45, Paes is still going strong and had an opportunity to add to his medal tally at the Games. However, it is safe to say his Asian Games journey has ended in an anti-climax.