London: Admitting that his pairing with Sania Mirza in the mixed doubles category would have been the best bet for India in the London Olympics, Mahesh Bhupathi on Wednesday said that the Indian star player was used without even being consulted.
"Absolutely! We have good record. Recently we won the French Open together," said Bhupathi when asked if he would have liked to play along side Sania in the mixed doubles during the London Games.
"She was used without even being consulted as to what her best options are. But I think let her cut it all," Bhupathi told news channel.
Sania, after getting a wildcard for the London Olympics yesterday, hit out at AITA for treating her as a 'bait' in the selection row. She was also critical of Bhupathi and Leander Paes. But Bhupathi said he could completely understand her outburst and stood by her.
"Obviously, she issued a very emotional statement and I totally understand where it is coming from and what transpired into the whole thing.
"As far as I am concerned, I stand by Sania and think we are the best mixed doubles pair," insisted Bhupathi.
Sania had earlier said that Bhupathi had "sacrificed" his commitment to play with her at the Olympics after their French Open title early this month.
"Mahesh Bhupathi has firmly stood by his commitment to play together with his men's doubles partner, Rohan Bopanna as he genuinely believed it was good for India. However, in the process, he sacrificed the commitment he made to me to try and win an Olympic medal together for India," Sania had said in her statement on Tuesday.
Sania, however, made it clear that although she preferred Bhupathi, she is ready to partner Paes in the larger interest of the country. Bhupathi, meanwhile, said that he and all his country mates were trying to put behind the controversies and concentrate on the ongoing Wimbledon, which is also the venue for the upcoming Games.
"For us, we are actually trying our best to put everything behind us and try to focus on the Wimbledon," said Bhupathi.
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