Will they play together? Or is one of the most successful partnerships in tennis history, disbanded on many previous occasions, now breaking up for good, forever? One says he won't play with the other as there is no communication.
The other says there is a need to communicate and think about the country's good rather than personal differences. Welcome to the topsy-turvy world of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi's tennis career.
Two individuals who wrote their names in the record books and were once considered the finest doubles pair in world tennis. The whole nation wants them to come together one more time to represent their country at the pinnacle of modern sports, the Olympics.
Last week, Mahesh Bhupathi in an e-mail to the AITA wrote: "There is absolutely no communication between Leander and myself since Doha Asian Games," and subsequently in the mail made it clear that he wants to play with Rohan Bopanna rather than Paes.
Paes, meanwhile, responded by saying that Bhupathi's remarks were childish and they both would be the losers if they didn't team up for Beijing. He rightly went on to say that no other pair can do what he and Bhupathi can. Paes, for his part, seems to want to bury the hatchet for the sake of national pride, while Bhupathi doesn't seem to be relenting.
According to Jaidip Mukherjea, eminent tennis coach and mentor to Paes and Bhupathi at one time, it's quite silly to see this squabble. "They should come together and play for the country. After all it's the biggest honour to represent your country at the Olympics."
And the Olympics is the victory missing from the resumes of both the players. Although Paes has a singles' bronze medal, he and Bhupathi missed a medal at Athens by a whisker in 2004. "Let's face it," says Mukherjea, "they are the best hope for us landing a medal at Beijing."
Its been a long time since the "Indian Express" went their separate ways, yet whenever the country has required them, they have come together. They, in fact, won the gold medal at the Doha Asiad and have teamed up on numerous occasions for the Davis Cup.
Former tennis player Gaurav Natekar feels that both of them are mature individuals and will take a decision after thinking about all the options. "They are the best doubles team in the country but it comes down to personal preference as well."
Bhupathi, who has expressed his desire to play with Bopanna, in his e-mail also wrote, "I would prefer to play with Rohan in Beijing, we have a good relationship and we are planning to play a couple of events over the next few months."
The AITA, for its part, has made it clear that it had already nominated their names and won't be changing its mind. It has requested both the players to act in the national interest and forget their differences.
Natekar, however, feels that even if they come together, they will need some sort of fine-tuning. They know their game inside out, but they will still need time to gel again as a team.
Mukherjea admits that it would be disappointing if both of them didn't play together. "At the end of the day it's their decision, but it would be extremely disappointing if we don't see them on court in Beijing."
The issue might be resolved and both these players might just put their differences aside and aim for one last hurrah. Although separately their careers have had a lot of success, they haven't yet managed to find the same chemistry with other partners.
Sports fans across the country will be hoping that the Bhupathi-Paes saga has a happy ending this time. Even if they never play together again, the need of the hour is to step out together one more time.
Most fans could live without the chest-pumping celebrations which were a regular feature when they played together, but it would be, as Mukherjea says, a disaster if they don't end up playing together at the Olympics. Will it happen? Let's wait and hope for the best!
