Doubles professional Rohan Bopanna has accused AITA and said that the tennis governing body of India has deceived the players to which, Sania Mirza responded that the medal chance has been fallen.
The players hit the governing body on Twitter claiming that AITA has negated the nation with a “very good shot at a medal” and for “misleading the players, government, media, and others” by asserting there is still an opportunity for Bopanna to qualify for the Tokyo Games.
“ITF has never accepted an entry for Sumit Nagal and myself. ITF was clear that no changes were allowed after the nomination deadline (22nd June) unless injury/illness. AITA has misled the players, government, media and everyone else by stating we still have a chance,” wrote Bopanna on Twitter to which Sania Mirza replied quoting: “What? If this is true then it’s absolutely ridiculous and shameful..by this also means that we have sacrificed a very good shot at a medal in the mixed doubles if you and I would have played as planned. We were both told you and Sumit’s names have been given.”
Whaaattt???If this is true then it's absolutely ridiculous and shameful..by this it also means that we have sacrificed a very good shot at a medal in the mixed doubles if you and I would have played as planned. We were both told that you and sumit's names hav been given .. https://t.co/h3fGkK0im8
— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) July 19, 2021
Bopanna and Sharan couldn’t directly ensure a position for the men’s doubles event at the Tokyo Olympics. He said that this was in reversal to the tennis governing body pairing him with Nagal for the doubles by withdrawing Divij Sharan’s name.
Meanwhile, AITA Secretary-General Anil Dhupar strike back to Bopanna’s statements and said that the qualification for the Olympics should not have been vacated at the compassion of withdrawals.
