CNN-IBN's Associate Editor (sports), Digvijay Singh Deo got hold of the e-mail sent by Leander Paes' father to AITA. Down below is the full text of the e-mail.
Dear Anil,
I am writing to you on Leander’s behalf. Not as an emotional father but as a Davis Cup team member from 1991.
1. Leander has represented the country unconditionally from 1990.
Davis Cup from 1990 to date. His win/loss till date is 86/32. Significantly, on grass, Leander’s win/loss is 46/17
Olympics: 5 Olympics from Barcelona, 1992 to date, including a bronze medal in singles at Atlanta.
Asian Games: 4 Asian Games since Hiroshima in 1994 with 5 Golds.
ATP Tour: Leander’s Career Men's Doubles - 50. Grand Slam Men's Doubles - 7, Grand Slam Mixed Doubles - 6.
Significantly, Mahesh’s last grand slam Men’s Doubles win was in 2002, while Rohan has never won a Men’s Doubles Grand Slam.
Leander, since 2002 has won 4 Men’s Doubles Grand Slams, the most recent being 2012. Another statistic worth mentioning is that Leander has won 4 Grand Slam titles in Wimbledon - the last being in 2010.
2. Recent ATP Tour Men’s Doubles Stats:
Stats on the ATP Tour 2011:
Leander
Mahesh
Rohan
Tournaments Played
16
18
26
Tournaments Won
3
3
3
1st and 2nd round losses
9
11
12
Stats on the ATP Tour 2012:
Leander
Mahesh
Rohan
Tournaments Played
9
11
11
Tournaments Won
3
1
1
1st round Losses
1
3
4
WHAT HAPPENS NOW?
Selection to the Olympics is now in the AITAs selection committee’s hands, backed by the ITFs ranking and wild card options.
Leander is our No.1 one player in men’s and mixed doubles by current and previous ranking and performances. Leander is the only Indian player, male or female, in the top 10 of the rankings, thus qualifying him for a direct entry with the option of choosing his partner. The criteria necessary is that this partnership should be capable of a medal chance in the Olympics. The selection committee and Leander should decide on his choice of partner.
It makes no sense if Leander is maneuvered to partner Somdev who is still recovering from injury or one of the juniors who have never experienced this level. All the best teams including the top singles players will be playing men’s doubles at the Olympics and hence we should put up our best team.
Leander, Mahesh and Rohan are professional players and would give off their best for themselves and the country, if asked to do so.
Wishing you all the best,
With warm regards,
Vece Paes
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