For long enough, Indian tennis has relied on two people to carry its flag on the global stage: Mahesh Bhupathi (right) and Leander Paes. When they played doubles together, or with separate partners, these two tennis stars delivered the results, year after year.

For a brief period of time, Sania Mirza's star was on the rise, but inconsistency and injuries started taking a toll, and Mirza slipped down the ladder of rankings.

Text: Aabhas Sharma/Business Standard | Photograph: Reuters