So many times in the past, the relationship between Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes has been described as one akin to marriage. Where each played a definite role; where there was love, passion and a gamut of emotions on display. On court, Leander provided the fireworks and Mahesh was the backbone. Off it, they lived, ate and travelled together and claimed to be the best of friends. Each had a public image and a private persona that seldom spilled into the former. They were, in short, quite the perfect couple. Somewhere down the line - at a point no one can quite pinpoint with accuracy - and like in many modern relationships, things went sour. The lines between what was in-camera and out became blurred. The muted criticisms became more strident and soon, it was a camp divided. Sadly, they were not destined for happily ever after. But again, like in other relationships, perhaps it is time they moved on. The duo will probably get together again for the Davis Cup and Olympics. If they manage to rekindle their past magic, then maybe we can hope to read the banns again. If not, it's time to let go. Mahesh and Leander have undoubtedly gone through hell and beyond. For both to openly state that the "trust" they had in each other is completely dead and there is little or no hope for their relationship should be sign enough of how things are. It is very difficult to aportion blame here as both had their reasons, fathomable or not, but Mahesh's injury and forced lay-off from the game for the first half of this year definitely facilitated the parting of ways. Look at the bright side. Now we have two pairs to watch instead of one and that really isn't as bad as it seems. Hopefully, both should do well. When Mahesh and Leander played together, Mahesh played the right-hander's ad-court and Leander the deuce. While Leander at the net ranks up there with the best in the business, Mahesh is acknowledged as one of the best return-of-servers in the doubles version of the game. And he has a lethal backhand. Leander has found a stable partner already - though he took some time to experiment - in Jan Siemerink, Mahesh may find the going easier, given the advantage of a specialist. Yesterday, partnering Mark Knowles in Hamburg, he won his second match since his return from injury on May 1. In the post-Mahesh, April Davis Cup tie phase, Leander, surprisingly, managed just two wins. Of course, since then, Leander has won two titles with Siemerink. This brings us to another point. If Leander-Siemrink do well on the Tour and, as of now, there seems no earthly reason why they should not, then there really isn't much cause for Leander to get back with Mahesh, sentiment aside. So why should he even be expected to try? With the atmosphere of mistrust and assorted pressures casting shadows over the lives of the two, it is difficult to imagine that even a "clearing of the air" can bring back the bonhomie and joie de vivre of the past. Leander is just short of 27 and Mahesh, nearly 26. Neither has time to waste or anything to prove at the highest level of the doubles game, except of course, that they can make it without the other. So perhaps, it is best to let them enjoy their tennis and get on with whatever they want to do.
