NEW DELHI, Nov 28: Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and India’s Rohan Bopanna have ended their successful tennis doubles partnership, which was hailed as a symbol of friendship between the rival nations.

Bopanna told the Indian Express newspaper on Monday that he will team up with veteran compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi in 2012, while Aisam will next partner Dutchman Jean-Julien Roger at the Australian Open in January.

“As the season has ended now, I can confirm that I am playing with Mahesh in 2012,” Bopanna said, declining to elaborate on the reason for parting ways with Aisam after four years.

“Who I want to play with is my decision... I did have a successful year with Aisam but now I am starting a new year with Mahesh, and it’s as simple as that.”

The duo actively promoted better India-Pakistan ties and even offered to play tennis over the land border dividing the two countries, which have a history of warfare and political tension.—AFP