'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Mahesh Bhupathi
Mahesh Bhupathi with Leander Paes
Trending
The other half of the “Indian Express”, Mahesh Bhupathi is regarded as one of the greatest doubles players to have stepped onto a tennis court. Bhupathi holds several records to his name, including that of being the first Indian to win a Grand Slam title (with Rika Hiraki in 1997).
Bhupathi began his tennis career at the University of Mississippi where he was an All-American in both singles and doubles, en route to winning the NCAA doubles championship in 1995.
Bhupathi is known for his huge serves and a strong two-handed backhand. His deft play at the net is an integral part of his doubles game, compensating for his lack of quickness with respect to court coverage. His 12 Grand Slam titles speak for themselves as the man from Bangalore is one of eight select players to have achieved a career Slam in mixed doubles.
Bhupathi has represented the tricolour several times in the Davis Cup as well as other events such as the Asian Games and the Olympics. In recent times, he has been embroiled in a feud with the All India Tennis Federation (AITA) which has marginally tarnished his reputation.
Bhupathi was awarded the Padma Shri in 2001 for his services to Indian tennis.
