Let's not pair Lee-Hesh if they are not interested: Amritraj

NEW DELHI: Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi should not be forced to play together at the London Olympics if they are not comfortable in playing as a team, feels Indian tennis legend Vijay Amritraj.

Paes and Bhupathi parted ways late last year, opting different partners for the 2012 season.

Bhupathi has chosen compatriot Rohan Bopanna as doubles partner while Paes is teaming up with Czech Radek Stepanek.

The All India Tennis Association has the final say in deciding the team combination for the Olympics and Amritraj said it should be up to the players only, if they want to play together or not.

"It makes no sense to put them on the same side of the court, if they don't want to. When you compete as a team, gelling well is very important. I don't know the reason why they don't want to play together but it should be left to the players," said Amritraj.

Talking about Bhuapthi and Bopanna as a pair, Amritraj said it will take them some time to get used to each others game and produce result.

"It's difficult to get drastic and immediate results in with a new doubles partner. They still have some time to go. But we have three top class doubles players in Bhupathi, Paes and Bopanna, who are doing well. Bopanna had a terrific season last year," he said