Sep 18, 2012 15:02 (IST) So that was 12-times Grand Slam winner Mahesh Bhupathi, reacting on a two-year ban slapped on him by the All India Tennis Association.Sep 18, 2012 15:01 (IST) Anil Khanna re-defined the term 'divide-and-rule'.Sep 18, 2012 14:56 (IST) AITA has taken out its personal grudge against me.Sep 18, 2012 14:54 (IST) I'm not doing anything to prove a point. I love tennis, and I love being involved with anything to do with the game. That's why I work with kids.Sep 18, 2012 14:53 (IST) I had conveyed to Anil Khanna back in 2007 that I'm willing to be a part AITA and help developing the sport in India. But it wasn't accepted. I think they don't want any player to be a part of it.Sep 18, 2012 14:51 (IST) I don't know if my stance is that of a rebellion. But I don't think so. A rebellion won't change anything.Sep 18, 2012 14:51 (IST) Being termed a 'traitor' is unacceptable.Sep 18, 2012 14:50 (IST) I'd like to see my daughter playing tennis, for sure.Sep 18, 2012 14:50 (IST) Rohan wanted to be here today (at press conference). But he has 8-10 years of tennis ahead. SO I wanted him to be out of this. These (AITA) people can be very vindictive.Sep 18, 2012 14:49 (IST) Rohan is extremely upset.Sep 18, 2012 14:49 (IST) The number of good luck messages I got today, I haven't received so many before a Grand Slam.Sep 18, 2012 14:48 (IST) I don't see where the debate is in pairing two guys who are playing together and are doing good together.Sep 18, 2012 14:47 (IST) I was told by people that now that two teams are going, let's prepare to do well (in Olympics).Sep 18, 2012 14:46 (IST) I actually don't know whom to complain to.Sep 18, 2012 14:46 (IST) Two years (ban) is a long time, I really don't know if I'll be playing tennis till then.Sep 18, 2012 14:46 (IST) People responsible to bring up the sport in the country should resign and walk off if they haven't been able to do anything good.Sep 18, 2012 14:45 (IST) Me being termed a traitor is unacceptable, will explore legal options: Mahesh BhupathiSep 18, 2012 14:45 (IST) India is such a big country, and in the bigger context of things we still have hardly that many players at the top level.Sep 18, 2012 14:44 (IST) I have always tried to extend my hand to Anil so that we could work together for tennis in India, but with no avail.Sep 18, 2012 14:43 (IST) I have been doing things for tennis in India that Anil Khanna should be doing.Sep 18, 2012 14:43 (IST) Amil (Khanna) has problem with me because I have managed to find out ways to do something for the sport.Sep 18, 2012 14:42 (IST) Two weeks after we won the French Open, AITA told us that 'sorry guys, you and Rohan can't pair up for Olympics'.Sep 18, 2012 14:41 (IST) I have tried to do everything by the book, following procedures.Sep 18, 2012 14:41 (IST) AITA could have said at the beginning of the year itself that only the top ranked players will be paired.Sep 18, 2012 14:40 (IST) And we had initiated communication with the federation too a long time ago.Sep 18, 2012 14:40 (IST) Rohan and I had paired up with the aim of performing well in Olympic.Sep 18, 2012 14:39 (IST) AITA shut us out at every step.Sep 18, 2012 14:39 (IST) It's very frustrating.Sep 18, 2012 14:38 (IST) Sad to say, but lot of people celebrated when we lost (in Olympics).Sep 18, 2012 14:38 (IST) Mahesh Bhupati: We still don't have clear answers as to why we were banned. They don't have a code of conduct.Sep 18, 2012 14:37 (IST) But there's always some politics going on in AITA.Sep 18, 2012 14:37 (IST) That was before Olympics, because I and Rohan were best prepared together.Sep 18, 2012 14:37 (IST) AITA was initially sympathetic to us.Sep 18, 2012 14:36 (IST) Don't know about all the committees, but actually it's one person (Anil Khanna) who takes the decisions.Sep 18, 2012 14:36 (IST) AITA's system doesn't help youngsters.Sep 18, 2012 14:35 (IST) I and Rohan have asked AITA in an email what are we being punished for exactly.Sep 18, 2012 14:34 (IST) But we are exploring legal options.Sep 18, 2012 14:34 (IST) As far as the ban goes, I don't know if there's an option of not accepting it.Sep 18, 2012 14:34 (IST) AITA's ban has crossed the line.Sep 18, 2012 14:33 (IST) As for me, I was always 'banned'. As the AITA never supported my initiatives.Sep 18, 2012 14:32 (IST) I feel bad for my friend and partner Rohan Bopanna, for he got trapped in the crossfire and politics.Sep 18, 2012 14:32 (IST) It is sad to get a ban at the twilight of my career. After 18 years of playing.Sep 18, 2012 14:31 (IST) And people thought it was a problem between me and Leander.Sep 18, 2012 14:31 (IST) Anil Khanna has enjoyed the rift between me and Leander.Sep 18, 2012 14:31 (IST) Anil Khanna has used Leander's shoulder to train his gun against me.Sep 18, 2012 14:30 (IST) Tennis is my blood.Sep 18, 2012 14:30 (IST) "I have become thick skinned (in reaction to AITA's decisions)."Sep 18, 2012 14:30 (IST) "Over the years, funding for the programmes that I conduct for the upcoming players were shunned (by AITA)," says Bhupathi.Sep 18, 2012 14:29 (IST) Mahesh is presenting a copy of his correspondence with AITA with media.Sep 18, 2012 14:28 (IST) Mahesh gets on with his press adress.Sep 18, 2012 13:52 (IST)In a quick recap, know what led to this day.Sep 18, 2012 13:50 (IST) And we shall be tracking it closely.Sep 18, 2012 13:49 (IST) And quite a few people are expecting some explosive statements from Bhupathi during the press conference. Sep 18, 2012 13:47 (IST) The tennis ace will speak to the media for the first time after being banned by the All India Tennis Association (AITA) today at 2pm in Mumbai.Sep 18, 2012 13:46 (IST) "Diwali is coming early"... at least that's what quite a few Mahesh Bhupathi's well-wishers think.Also Read"For The Sake Of IPL...": Tennis Legend Writes To BCCI, Wants RCB SoldFocussing On Singles Way To Go For Indian Players: Leander Paes And Mahesh BhupathiLara Dutta's Husband Appreciation Post For Mahesh Bhupathi: "Find A Man With A Wicked Sense Of Humour"