Leander Paes said on Monday that he wants to sit with Mahesh Bhupathi in person and clear misgivings so that the country could field its best doubles team in the Doha Asian Games.
"I will sit with him in person, talk to him about how exactly is his feelings. And if he is feeling bit hurt about certain issues, will put my hand around and tell this is not the end of the world," Paes said.
Bhupathi had said last week he would no longer play doubles for India, a decision which came as a surprise for the tennis fraternity. Although Bhupathi did not specify the reasons, it was learnt that he is upset over not being consulted by the selection panel before naming Sania Mirza and Paes as the mixed doubles team for the Asian Games in December.
"I am completely surprised to know that he has decided not to play for India. I think selection and things like that, I really do not know what the issue is. So I rather speak to him personally," the tennis ace told NDTV.
Paes urged Bhupathi to take back his decision of not donning India cap again as both of them are country's best bet in the doubles.
"Playing for the country is the epitome of my career. Playing with whoever for the country is something I always look into, as to who is the best person for the job. And for the doubles job, Mahesh is right now my best partner. So I am basically going around the circles and saying the same thing that Mahesh is the man for the job."
"In the last Asian Games, Manisha Malhotra was number one player at that time among women and he [Mahesh] decided to play with her. At that stage I was put with a very young Sania Mirza", Paes said.
"I did not say anything, I was number one player for India at that time. I basically went out there, I was given this young talented girl who hit the ball well and we got the bronze.
"So I think that in any situation you are put in you are going to make the best out of it and that is something Mahesh should see," he added.
