Mahesh Bhupathi
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Mahesh Shrinivas Bhupathi, born June 7, 1974, Madras, India) is a professional tennis player from India. He turned professional in 1995. In 2001, he was awarded the Padma Shri. He currently resides in Bangalore and is among the best doubles tennis players in the world with 10 grand slam titles to his credit including mixed doubles. He is 6ft. 1in tall.
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[edit] The 1999 season
In 1999, Bhupathi won three doubles titles with Leander Paes including Roland Garros and Wimbledon. He and Leander became the first doubles team to reach finals of all four Grand Slams, the first time such a feat has been achieved in the Open era and the first time since 1952. On April 26 that year, they became the World No. 1 doubles team. Bhupathi also won the US Open mixed doubles with Ai Sugiyama of Japan.
[edit] 2006 Australian Open
Bhupathi teamed with Martina Hingis in the mixed doubles competition. Entering the tournament unseeded, the first-time pair defeated four seeded opponents along the way, while only dropping a single set throughout. Bhupathi and Hingis defeated the sixth-seeded team of Daniel Nestor (CAN) and Elena Likhovtseva (RUS) in straight sets, 6-3 6-3, to capture the championship. It was the sixth mixed doubles Grand Slam for Bhupathi, and a first for Hingis. By winning Australian Open, Bhupathi completed a career Grand Slam in mixed doubles.
[edit] Grand Slam titles
MEN'S DOUBLES Year Championship Partner 1999 French Open Leander Paes (IND) 1999 Wimbledon Leander Paes (IND) 2001 French Open Leander Paes (IND) 2002 US Open Max Mirnyi (BLR) MIXED DOUBLES Year Championship Partner 1997 French Open Rika Hiraki (JPN) 1999 US Open Ai Sugiyama (JPN) 2002 Wimbledon Elena Likhovtseva (RUS) 2005 Wimbledon Mary Pierce (FRA) 2005 US Open Daniela Hantuchova (SVK). 2006 Australian Open Martina Hingis (SUI)
[edit] Sports Management
Mahesh Bhupathi has also been involved in developing tennis facilities in India and along with his company Globosport he has played in a key role in developing and managing the careers of many Indian athletes including the new Indian tennis star, Sania Mirza.
