DEHRADUN: Ace tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi, who was in Dehradun on Saturday, told TOI that all the concerned parties need to work together to promote tennis in India. Bhupathi, who was visiting a school in the Uttarakhand capital, laid emphasis on identifying players at the grassroots level and training them for the big league.On being asked why none of the current players have been able to do as well as him and Leander Paes (until they were a team), Bhupathi said, “That’s because there was no one before us. But we cannot say nobody is currently doing well or making a mark in tennis. Rohan Bopanna has been playing well consistently for the last decade. We also have Sumit Nagal who is turning out to be a good player. As far as tennis is concerned, we don’t have the kind system that other countries do. So, we cannot expect miracles. Badminton has gained momentum because now we have superstars playing the game. That’s not the case with tennis. There is a system for cricket and that is why we are the world champions.”Asked about the lack of sponsors for player, he said, “I never got a sponsorship. People tend to use it like an excuse. Players who are really good eventually do get support. In my entire career I have never seen a talented player fail because of lack of support.”The veteran tennis player also said that the budding players need to be prepared for the tough road ahead. “Anyone who wants to make a career in sports needs to be prepared for a lot of hard work and commitment,” he said.On parting ways with Paes, Bhupathi laughingly said, “We got bored of each other.”

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