Bopanna lashes out at AITA over Arjuna award snub

India's ace doubles exponent Rohan Bopanna on Friday lashed out at the All India Tennis Federation (AITA) for not sending his nomination for the Arjuna Award within the stipulated deadline.

The deadline to send application was on April 28 but AITA sent Bopanna's name on June 14 after he won his maiden Grand Slam Trophy — the French Open mixed doubles title with Canada's Gabriela Dabrowski. The AITA, on its part, said the Bengaluru player wouldn't have met the criteria if it had sent his entry in April.

Bopanna, who in the past had reached the 2010 US Open men's doubles final and a career-best doubles ranking of World No 3 in 2013, slammed AITA for its “lack of professionalism and efficiency”. His nomination for the award has been rejected several times in the past. The application of Saketh Myneni, who won twin medals in 2014 Asian Games, was sent by AITA and he has been recommended for the Arjuna award.

“We professional tennis players put in a lot to bring laurels to our country. And no one could question otherwise. However, it is when the system (the Tennis Association in this case) functions sloppily that is not only disrespectful but also robs the hope of a deserving acknowledgment. I am calling out to the lack of professionalism and efficiency by AITA for not sending my nomination for the Arjuna award before the deadline. I have witnessed many such excuses for the past decade (while I was eligible and my record didn’t falter) and then too, have never stood for it,” Bopanna said in a statement.

AITA secretary-general Hironmoy Chatterjee told DH from  in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where he is attending the ITF Annual General Meeting, that Bopanna's statement stands in a bad taste.

“There is a clear-cut criteria for selection. If we had sent his entry in April, it wouldn't have served any purpose. But once he won the Grand Slam title, which can be compared to the World Championships, I took a chance to send his entry since the decision on it is taken in August. How am I am wrong here?,” Chatterjee questioned.

“Why didn’t he (Bopanna) participate in Incheon Games, where most of the top athletes decided to opt out?

“I can understand he is disappointed but there is no point criticising the federation which is doing its best for the players. It is absolutely sad. We would put up his application again next year and in advance.”

Bopanna, however, congratulated Myneni. “I want to take this platform to congratulate Saketh Myneni on receiving this award. I couldn’t be more proud as I have seen him grow into the player and the man he is today.”