New Delhi: Pakistan’s tennis star Aisam-ul-Haq and India’s Rohan Bopanna have ended their successful tennis doubles partnership for the next six months as both want to focus on the London Olympic Games.
Bopanna told the Indian Express newspaper on Monday that he will team up with veteran compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi in 2012, while Qureshi will next partner Dutchman Jean-Julien Roger at the Australian Open in January.
“As the season has ended now, I can confirm that I am playing with Mahesh in 2012,” Bopanna said, declining to elaborate on the reason for parting ways with Qureshi after four years.
“Who I want to play with is my decision… I did have a successful year with Aisam but now I am starting a new year with Mahesh, and it’s as simple as that.”
Bopanna and Qureshi, who joined hands in an unlikely partnership in 2007, shot to fame when they reached the US Open doubles final last year and are currently ranked ninth in the world.
On the other side Aisam told the media that “We want to cement our places in the Olympic Games and have decided to play with new partners in the doubles,”.
The Indo-Pak Express last played together in London where they lost all three World Tour Finals matches.
Aisam had a successful year as he won three ATP titles (including a Thailand Open triumph with Austria’s Oliver Marach) and improved his individual as well as team rankings.
Aisam said he was excited not only about his marriage but also about starting up a new partnership next year on the international circuit.
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