Leander Paes to Partner Rohan Bopanna at 2016 Rio Olympics: AITA

Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna will represent India in the men's doubles category of tennis at the 2016 Rio Olympics, the All India tennis Association (AITA) announced on Saturday.

The AITA also announced Sania Mirza will partner Bopanna in the mixed doubles category, according to AITA chief Anil Khanna. In the women's doubles, Sania Mirza and Prarthana Thombare will represent India.

Earlier, Rohan Bopanna, on the basis of his top-10 ranking, had named Saketh Myneni as his preferred partner for the men's doubles competition for the upcoming Rio Olympics, ahead of veteran superstar Paes.

Bopanna has agreed to play with Paes, despite his request of partnering Myneni being turned down.

"The AITA Selection Committee has now made its decision after due consideration of my representation and has selected the team for the Olympics. I respect this decision and look forward to participating in Rio," he said.

'Dream Come True For Paes'

Paes, after getting the opportunity to compte in his seventh Olympics, said: "To play for the Indian flag has always been the greatest inspiration for me. I am humbled by the love showered upon me by the people. Their overwhelming and unconditional support has been my pillar of strength and motivation throughout my career.

"The honour to represent India at Rio Olympics 2016 is a dream come true. I am thankful to the All India Tennis Association for bestowing me this opportunity to wear the Tri-colours on my heart once again."

After winning a direct ticket to the Rio Games by virtue of his top 10 ATP ranking, Bopanna had made his preference to the All India Tennis Association on Friday, but the national selectors indicated that they might have a different choice.

In a statement released to the media on Friday, Bopanna said: "A direct acceptance provides me the right to nominate my men's doubles partner, an opportunity for me to exercise my judgement as to the best possible partner for me. I have, earlier today, communicated my decision to the AITA."

But AITA CEO Hironmoy Chatterjee told NDTV.com that the final decision lies with the selection committee "which may or may not honour Bopanna's preference."

AITA rejects Bopanna's request

The AITA rejected Bopanna's request for Myneni as his partner, saying that India's best chance for a medal at Rio lay in him teaming up with Paes, who won the French Open mixed doubles title earlier this month.

"He (Bopanna) has given reasons to selection committee on why he feels Saketh could be a better doubles partner. But he has also made it clear that he wants to represent the nation. It was a well-meaning letter (which Bopanna wrote yesterday to AITA). Leander and Rohan have played four times in Davis Cup, they have a 2-2 record," Khanna said.

"Committee decided that the best bet for Indian tennis to win a medal at the Olympics would be Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna."

Khanna then named Bopanna and Sania as the best medal hopes in the mixed doubles category.

"The committee has decided to nominate Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza in the mixed doubles competition," he said.

(With inputs from Suprita Das and PTI)