Is Paes coming to Asian Games? Indian captain Zeeshan Ali has no clue

The Indian tennis contingent arrived here today for the Asian Games but the biggest name in the squad, Leander Paes, was conspicuous by his absence.

Zeeshan Ali, the captain and coach of the men's team, has no clue about Paes' arrival three days before the start of the competition on Sunday.

"I have no idea of his arrival. Only Paes can tell you when he is coming. The last time I spoke to him he said he would play in Cincinnati and then come to Palembang. But he is not playing there also," Ali told PTI.

There is still uncertainty over whom the 18-time Grand Slam champion will partner in the doubles, with Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan expected to play together. Paes, who last played at the Asian Games in 2006, could either partner an inexperienced Sumit Nagal or singles specialist Ramkumar Ramanathan.

The 45-year-old is in the twilight of his career and would like to end his Asian Games outing on a high. He already has five gold medals to his name in the event, starting from the Hiroshima edition in 1994.

While there is no information on Paes' arrival, Bopanna's recovery from a shoulder injury is good news for the Indian camp. The big-serving Indian arrived with Sharan and the women's squad comprising debutants Ankita Raina and Karman Kaur Thandi, besides doubles specialist Prarthana Thombare, who won a bronze alongside Sania Mirza in Incheon four years ago.

Asked about his fitness and lack of match practice since Wimbledon, Bopanna said: "It is not an issue at all. It won't be the first time I will be coming back from an injury. I would not have been here if I wasn't hundred percent fit."