Leander Paes, Sania Mirza skip Asian Games to boost ranking

India send a contingent of tennis second-line Asian Games this month after leaving the top players, including Leander Paes and Sania Mirza to play on the professional circuits instead of reliving their classification.

Top singles player Somdev Devvarman India has already announced he would not defend the singles and doubles men's gold medals he won four years ago in Guangzhou, China, citing the same reason.

"Special circumstances have developed where it is necessary for players to participate in ATP and WTA rankings and to protect your ... qualified for the year-end World Masters," said All India Tennis Association (AITA) President Anil Khanna in statement on Thursday.

Khanna did not elaborate on the late replacements. AITA Secretary Bharat Oza and coach Zeeshan Ali could not be reached for comment either.

Veteran Paes, winner of eight men and six doubles mixed doubles Grand Slam titles, dropped to 35 in doubles rankings and want to play in three ATP tournaments encroaching of 19 September-October 4 Games in Incheon.

Mirza, who won the mixed doubles title on Friday, the US Brazilian Bruno Soares Association Open, learn to play two WTA events instead of keeping alive the hopes and partner Cara Black to the league season ending WTA Singapore.

IATA also allowed Davis copper and Rohan Bopanna specialist double play two ATP tournaments coincided with the Asian Games.

"Given the requirement for very large and significant players, AITA has decided ... to enable them to play ATP / WTA so they can have a respectable opportunity to represent the country at the World Championships to be held at the end of the year, "he added Khanna.