LEANDER AND MAHESH : UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL.

The year 1999 saw the Indian duo of Leander and Mahesh lifting the Grandslam twice including the most coveted 'Wimbledon'- an achievement that has inflicted pride in every Indian's mind. They also were the runners up in the other two Grandslams, as also in the World Championship, thus making it a golden year in the Indian tennis history.

Mahesh Bhupathy ended the abyss of Grandslam titles for the Indians by winning the French Open in the mixed doubles event in 1998. We were already aware of Leander's innate tendency to perform with eminence while playing for the country, but his teaming up with Mahesh brought the much-awaited stardom in the professional tennis events. The year 1999 looked like an epoch making time in the Indian tennis history with Leander and Mahesh ending the year as the world's top ranked doubles team, but it was not to be. Mahesh's coach always disturbed Leander. He finally opened his heart out to Mahesh and left the decision of continuing together at his disposal with the condition that Leander's coach should coach Mahesh. The idea of abandoning his coach is what Mahesh disliked and this caused the split between the greatest Indian pair.

The split has in turn abased both of them, as none of them was able to make it even to the quarterfinals of the event where they should have been defending their title. But Leander and Mahesh have agreed to join hands together for the Davis Cup tie and the Olympics. The question, which now haunts is that does this pair have enough fire to uproot their opponents in the same devastating manner as they did 6 months ago?

The need of the hour is that they set all their differences apart become one massive force which can rock the entire world again. This won't be easy, but don't forget that patriotism casts a magical spell on Leander when he represents his motherland, which raises his game to unbelievable heights. World has seen that Goran Ivanisavic and Wayne Feraira have danced to Leander's tunes when he is in this mood. Leander also achieved the remarkable feet of being the lone Indian to grab a medal in a singles event at Olympics in the last 50 years. Mahesh now needs to synthesize the same killer's instinct in him and emulate Leander in these crises.

Leander and Mahesh definitely posses the right to partner whomsoever they wish to in professional tennis, but when it comes to representing their motherland it is their duty to bridge the differences completely and put up an unmatched marvelous performance at the Olympics.

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