Bangalore: India's doubles star Rohan Bopanna says the bitterness that had developed between him and Leander Paes in the build-up to the 2012 London Games is "long gone and over" and he was not averse to the idea of pairing with his senior compatriot for the Rio Olympics if there are no fitness issues.
Paes was furious when Bopanna decided to team up with another veteran star from the country, Mahesh Bhupathi after initially agreeing to play with him, leaving the Olympic medallist to combine with rookie Vishnu Vardhan.
Interestingly, it was now on Bopanna's insistence that Paes was asked to play along with him in Davis Cup tie against Serbia.
When asked it was surprising that he took initiative to bring Paes in the line up, despite having bitter memories from the past, Bopanna said, "I have matured as a player."
"You can't sit back and look in the past. You take decisions at the moment and no one can tell whether it's wrong or right. No one can predict future. As players you mature and you move on, you leave the past behind. You keep going," he told PTI in an exclusive chat ahead of their clash against Nenad Zimonjic and Illija Bozolzac.
Quizzed if this decision was taken, keeping in mind a possible pairing with Paes for the 2015 season, so that they can create an on and off court bond to have a shot at glory at 2016 Games, Bopanna said it had nothing to do with future.
"Saturday's match we are playing truly because, we are representing India. Passion for the Davis Cup will always be there. We are not taking this match whether we gel or not. I have known Leander for many years. He brings his heart out when he plays, It will be great for me. First time I am playing in Bangalore, it's my 20th tie. It's just for this Saturday and this tie. He's the best doubles player out there in India. We had to play."
But is there a possibility that tennis fans would see them as a team at Rio Games and he says, "it's tough to tell" but one thing is sure that there was no bitterness in his heart now.
Bopanna said they got so much success at the start of their partnership since they were a new pair on the circuit.
"The fact is in 2010 no body knew how to play us. When you are new on the Tour, like Jack Sock and Vasek Pospisil are new as a team, hot as a team, everybody tries to figure out.
Bopanna and Qureshi lost many close matches but the Indian said they could not do anything "different".
"It's matter of fact of playing percentage tennis. Making sure you get your first serve in, making the guy play. That's the ideal situation. In Super tie Break you need luck as well.
Couple of net calls, always help, you lose some close ones and win some close ones. That's part of the game.
"Super Tie breaks finish so fast. You don't have time to analyze. This year at US Open first time ever I won a mixed doubles 10-0, that's never happened with me. Whatever you do, you don't expect that. You will take that anytime but you it's not going to happen," he signed off.
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