New Delhi, Jun 21 (IBNS): The All India Tennis Association (AITA) on Thursday bowed down to players' pressure and decided to send two men's doubles teams at the London Olympics.

Indian Tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi will team up with Rohan Bopanna while Leander Paes will pair up with Vishnu Vardhan.

AITA president Anil Khanna, however, admitted that it was not the best option on tennis grounds.

"Undoubtedly the most patriotic one, who has the record of most David Cup appearances for India and has served the nation for over 20 years, had been driven to the wall and had to react sharply," Khanna said.

"AITA does not want Leander's image to be tarnished. AITA asks Leander to forgive the utterances (against him by Bhupathi and Bopanna).

"Leander Paes and Vishnu Vardhan (ranked 207) and Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna will be the two teams. We request Leander to reverse to his thoughts and he should help Bopanna and Vishnu to succeed in their first Olympics," he added.

"This decision is unfair to India No. 1 (Paes). AITA holds Leander in very high esteem. We are confident that Leander won't disappoint us as he has done yeoman's service to the game."

Khanna also added that the decision to send two men's doubles team was taken on the advice of AITA's honourary life president S.M.Krishna, who is also India's External Affairs Minister.

"Mr. Krishna's guidance and approval helped the AITA to arrive at the decision," said Khanna.      

Khanna said AITA expects all players to accept the decision adding the selection process was 'tough'.

"We have taken the decision in the best interests of the country," he said.

Last week, both Bhupathi and Bopanna, who qualified for the Olympics as a team, have refused to pair with Paes.