The University of Mississippi Athletics
Former Rebel Netter Pledges Donation To Tsunami Relief Fund
1/3/2005 | Men's Tennis
Jan. 3, 2005
MADRAS, India - Former Ole Miss men's tennis standout Mahesh Bhupathi is giving back this week, to help his native country, India, hit hard by the recent Tsunami. Bhupathi, a seven-time grand slam champion, NCAA Doubles Champion for the University of Mississippi and former No. 1 in the world in doubles, has pledged to donate all his winnings from this week's Chennai Open here, to the Tsunami Relief Fund.
Bhupathi and his partner, Sweden's Jonas Bjorkman, are the No. 1 seed in doubles.
Several hundred people on the Madras coast, where Bhupathi was born, were among more than 9,000 people killed in India. Bjorkman and Germany's Rainer Schuettler have also pledged prize money from the Chennai Open, where the champion collects $52,000.
"I am very proud that a member of the Ole Miss family is helping lead the way to help so many," Rebel head coach Billy Chadwick said. "One of the most likable players on the tour, Mahesh is known not only for being a great player, but is also recognized for his outstanding sportsmanship. His generosity in this time of crisis reflects this."
The Chennai Open in India, among the ATP Tour season openers, will proceed despite the disaster. Organizers believe canceling the event would hurt morale in the area. The ATP, the governing body of men's tennis, is contributing the $25,000 tournament fee to UNICEF's emergency relief fund.
One of the top doubles players on the circuit, Bhupathi finished the 2004 season ranked in the Top 10 (No. 5 in the ATP Doubles Race with Russia's Max Mirnyi and No. 7 individually) for the fourth consecutive year and sixth time in seven years. In addition, he won five doubles titles and more than 50 matches for the third year in a row. His five titles came with four different partners. Bhupathi earned a spot in the Tennis Masters Cup in Houston (with Mirnyi).
Bhupathi also teamed with Mirnyi to reach the quarterfinals at the 2004 Australian Open and the semifinals at the French Open. He also teamed up with former partner and fellow countryman, Leander Paes, to win the Master Series Toronto and reach the semifinals at the Olympics in Athens, Greece.
Bhupathi enjoyed an outstanding career at Ole Miss, teaming with Ali Hamadeh to win the NCAA Doubles title in 1995 and earning All-America honors in singles and doubles. He finished ranked No. 1 in the nation in 1995 and was also named the SEC Player of the Year.
