Kolkata: Notwithstanding his verbal clashes with estranged doubles partner Mahesh Bhupathi, India's tennis ace Leander Paes on Friday said their chances of winning a medal at the Beijing Olympics were "very bright".
"Look at our past record and the experience we have in the top doubles circuit. We have won so many titles together. We were also world No.1 at one point of time. We are more experienced than any other player on the circuit," Paes said
"Our chances of winning medal at Beijing are very bright," he added.
In an oblique reference to Bhupathi's e-mail to the All India Tennis Association stating his preference to team up with Rohan Bopanna at Beijing, Paes said, "There is no other team in India that stands a chance against me and Mahesh".
Paes said he was looking forward to playing at Beijing.
"Yes, I am going to Beijing. I've been nominated by AITA and Indian Olympic Association. They have assured me that the doubles team will comprise me and Mahesh," he said.
The latest round in the long-standing feud between the pair, once affectionately called 'Indian Express' for their exploits on the doubles courts across the world, began with Bhupathi's mail where he preferred to team up with Bopanna rather than Paes.
Bhupathi had said there was no communication between him and Paes and with the pair not playing together on the ATP Tour, they were bound to reach Beijing under-prepared.
On Thursday, Paes hit back, saying it was "silly" and "childish" on Bhupathi's part to put personal preferences ahead of national interest, which could jeopardise India's medal chances in the Olympic Games.
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