Sports Desk: India's ace Lawn Tennis player Leander Paes has rejected the formulae given by the All India Tennis Association (AITA) and threatened to pull out of the London Olympics if his demands are ignored.

 

Leander refused to play with a junior partner if Mahesh and Bopanna are being sent to the Olympics as a doubles team. He said he would be forced to pull out of the London Olympics in the interest of the nation.

 

Paes said in clear terms that he is willing to play with the next best available player if both Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna refuse to play with him and as a team too. However, he said he would disapprove if the duo plays as a team to sideline a player of his stature.

 

Leander was reportedly offered to partner with Sania Mirza in the Mixed Doubles if he agreed to play with a junior player in the Men's Doubles event. However, he rejected that offer, saying he deserved to play with Sania on the basis of the combined ATP ranking of 19 they received to get a direct entry to the Olympics. "I am ready to withdraw from Olympics for the sake of Indian Tennis if my concerns are ignored," said Leander.