Former Rebel Netter Seeks Olympic Medal

OXFORD, Miss. Former Ole Miss men’s tennis standout Mahesh Bhupathi has won 10 grand slam doubles titles in his illustrious professional career, but one thing alludes the 34-year old.  Beginning next week, Bhupathi will team up with countrymen Leander Paes in Beijing to try and win their country an Olympic medal.

Winners of three grand slam titles together, Beijing will provide a final chance for Bhupathi and Paes to make up for the disappointment of losing a bronze medal playoff in Athens four years ago.  The former world No. 1 team finished fourth at the 2004 Athens Olympics, going down in the bronze medal match to Mario Ancic and Ivan Ljubicic.

Bhupathi and Paes have not played together in quite some time except for the three tournaments they paired up for this summer in preparation for the Olympics.   This past weekend, Bhupathi reached the semifinals at the Master’s Series in Cincinnati, Ohio with his current partner Mark Knowles. 

While at Ole Miss, Bhupathi led the Rebels to the NCAA team finals.  He became the first Rebel tennis player to win an NCAA title when he teamed with Ali Hamadeh to capture the Doubles Championship in 1995 and ended the year as the No. 1 doubles team in the nation.  In addition, Bhupathi was an All-American, 1995 SEC Singles Champion and SEC Player of the Year.

 The Tennis portion of the Olympics begins on Sunday, Aug. 10 with the finals on Aug. 16 and 17. 

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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