Paes returns, Yuki gets exemption from Asian Games

The iconic Leander Paes today made a comeback to the Asian Games bound Indian squad while Yuki Bhambri was "exempted" as AITA threw its weight behind country's top singles player in his quest for Grand Slam glory.

Paes, who has won eight medals at the previous editions of Asian Games, has not competed in the prestigious quadrennial event since winning the men's doubles gold with Mahesh Bhupathi and mixed doubles gold with Sania Mirza at the 2006 Doha Games.

The AITA backed Yuki in skipping the Games in Indonesia, where tennis events will begin on August 19, saying there are not many Indians competing in the singles at Grand Slams, thus, "the boy must be supported."
Giving the reasoning behind three singles players and not just two since India can send only two entries, Zeeshan explained:"God forbid, if some injury happens to Ramkumar or Prajnesh, Sumit can chip in and play the singles. He can also play doubles."
"We did discuss the option of picking four doubles players to field two specialist pairs but these doubles players can't play singles, if needed. That's why we chose three singles players, who can also play doubles if required."
Talking about Yuki's exemption, AITA secretary Hironmoy Chatterjee said,"The last Indian player who played Grand Slam singles was Somdev Devvarman. Now that this boy (Yuki) has got an opportunity to compete at the highest level, he needs to be supported."
"Only 20 per cent of the total size of a team can travel with the team as others (support staff). In our case we have 12 players, so 20 percent is three. But we requested them to accommodate at least two captains and two physios for our two teams."
When asked if young players such as Vishnu Vardhan, Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan or N Sriram Balaji were discussed as possible inclusion for doubles, selection committee member Rohit Rajpal said,"ranking was the main criteria."