Zee News

Beijing, Aug 16: He would be 39 when London hosts the next Olympics but Leander Paes still wants to have a go at it, even though Mahesh Bhupathi, other half of the 'Indian Express' pair, is not so sure.

After Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka buried their medal hopes at the court number two today, Paes and Bhupathi were visibly dejected at yet again failing to corner Olympic glory.

Asked if returning for the London Olympics sounds feasible, Paes said, "Why not? I would be 39 by then but already you have 40-plus players around. I'm in fact looking forward to the 2010 Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games in the same year. I have played in four Asian Games and keen to make it five.

"It all would depend on keeping the body fit. If my enthusiasm does not wane and I continue playing quality tennis, I mean why not?" he asked.

Asked for his view on the issue, Bhupathi, who would turn 38 in 2012, sounded unsure even though he did not rule out playing in the London Games.

"To be honest, four years is a long time and I'm not sure about the next year itself. But yes, if I'm among the top 10-15 players then why not? But again, 2012 is a long way to go," he said.

Now that their Olympic campaign is over, Bhupathi said focus would be on winning the 2010 Commonwealth Games gold.

"We have played together for 13 years. Whenever required for the country, we always put our best foot forward. Though we could not win an Olympic medal together, we have always delivered. This is something we take pride in.

"If both of us remain healthy, we would try to win the Commonwealth gold," Bhupathi added.

Though they could not get the better of the Swiss scratch pair, both Paes and Bhupathi insisted their old chemistry was there all along.

"We felt it right from the day we arrived here," Bhupathi said.