No split, says Bhupathi

Bhupathi said he will be playing with Paes in the season-ending tournament in London from November 20.

“I am going to play with him in London. I have just come from Pune and have not read any report (about the split),” Bhupathi told reporters in Mumbai.

They had qualified for the finale as a team but the question is about their pairing for the next season and also for the Davis Cup and Olympics, which could be their last.

Media reports said the two veterans were looking to play with younger partners in 2012 with Bhupathi pairing with Davis Cup team-mate Rohan Bopanna. Paes and Bhupathi receive funding from the government for preparing for the Olympics but their selection depends on their rankings.

According to rules, the top-10 players in rankings (as on June 11, 2012) get a direct entry and a direct entry player can partner any player (who has an international ranking) for the doubles event.

AITA Secretary-General Anil Khanna said as far as Davis Cup and Olympics were concerned, AITA selection committee will decide which pair will take the field.

“At present, all three -- Paes, Bhupathi and Rohan -- are in top-10. Let’s see what’s the situation is in June. We can actually send two pairs but that will be decided by our selection committee,” Khanna said.