Indian Tennis Ace Rohan Bopanna has once again vented out his anger on the All India Tennis Association (AITA). Missing out on the Arjuna award yet again, Rohan lambasted AITA for not nominating his name for this year’s Arjuna Awards.

The Federation said there was no point sending his application since he did not meet the requisite criteria, instead, Saketh Myneni has been recommended for the prestigious award who had clinched a gold and silver in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.

The deadline to send applications for the awards expired on 28 April but the All India Tennis Association (AITA) made up its mind to send Rohan Bopanna’s name only on 14 June after he won the French Open mixed doubles title with Canadian partner Gabriela Dabrowski.

“We professional tennis players put in a lot to bring laurels to our country. And no one could question otherwise. However, it is when the system (the Tennis Association in this case) functions sloppily that is not only disrespectful but also robs one of the hopes of a deserving acknowledgment,” Bopanna said in a mocking statement, posted on his official Twitter account.

“I am calling out to the lack of professionalism and efficiency by AITA for not sending my nomination for the Arjuna Award before the deadline. I have witnessed many such excuses for the past decade (while I was eligible and my record didn’t falter) and then too, have never stood for it.”

AITA Secretary General Hironmoy Chatterjee, however, clarified the entire fiasco saying that since Bopanna hasn’t won any medals for the country, his name got rejected not just once, but several times before. “AITA did not send Rohan Bopanna’s application for Arjuna award this year since his application was getting rejected all these years because he has not won any medals for the country at the Asian Games,” Chatterjee told.

He further added that after his victory at the Roland Garros they did decide to recommend his name for the award. “I took a chance since it was a Grand Slam. It’s like winning a world championship. So, we thought let’s send it now,” he added. Regardless of all his words, Bopanna did take the opportunity to congratulate the 29-year-old on receiving the award. “I want to take this platform to congratulate Saketh Myneni on receiving this award. I couldn’t be more proud as I have seen him grow into the player and the man he is today,” he mentioned in his statement.

Points are given for winning medals at the World Championship/World Cup, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Championships (biennial) and Commonwealth championships (biennial) while evaluating the applications by the committee. Bopanna had skipped the Incheon Asian Games along with Somdev Devvarman and veteran Leander Paes as the Coorgi had points to defend on the professional tour.

When are we going to change. #WakeUp pic.twitter.com/RPGCtKaxgG

— Rohan Bopanna (@rohanbopanna) August 5, 2017

The AITA official said he understands Bopanna’s frustration. “I do understand Rohan is disappointed for not getting the award, but it was because he did not meet the criteria for the award in 2016. He should see the criteria before making any comment,” he said. Chatterjee said winning the Grand Slam title at Roland Garros makes him eligible for next year and they will certainly nominate him. “We do feel he now meets the criteria after winning the mixed doubles of the French Open. AITA will again try for him next year,” he said.

According to the selection committee, the performance between January 2013 and December 2016 are considered and Bopanna has achieved some tremendous results in this period but only on the Pro Circuit, not while representing India in multi-disciplinary events.

He reached a career-high rank of three in the world in July 2013 and bagged nine ATP titles, including two Master series (Madrid, 2015 and Monte Carlo, 2017). He finished fourth at the Rio Olympic Games with Sania Mirza in the mixed doubles and that could have given some weight-age to his nomination had AITA sent his application.

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Compared to Bopanna, Myneni may not have been very successful on the Tour but has achieved enough points for his medal-winning performances at Incheon Games.  Despite not being nominated for the Prestigious Awards, Bopanna chose to congratulate Myneni. In the past, Bopanna has been nominated several times but his application has always been rejected.