Tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi is angry. Banned along with partner Rohan Bopanna for two years by the All India Tennis Association (AITA) from representing India in Davis Cup matches, he is mulling legal action against the tennis body. Often snappy and terse — especially when the questions are about his old tennis partner, Leander Paes — Bhupathi, 38, believes that he has been served a bad turn in the “twilight” of his career. The winner of 12 Grand Slam titles — who hit the headlines this summer when he refused to play with Paes in the London Olympics — also hinted that he was not against a rapprochement with his old partner. “This ship has sailed,” he had told The Telegraph in June this year when asked if he would patch up with Paes. But in a telephonic conversation with Reena Martins in Mumbai, he stresses that life “moves on” and recalls some of the good times that he shared with Paes. Excerpts from the interview:

Q: How has it been for you since the All India Tennis Association banned you from the Davis Cup for two years?

A: It’s obviously been pretty hectic. We’re trying our best to see how we can appeal (against) the ban and take legal action. We have to wait till Monday to see what kind of route we can take. The lawyers are just exploring options.

Q: In June this year, you’d said, “If AITA feels I should be banned, so be it. They are the be-all and know-all of Indian tennis.” Did you see this coming?

A: There was talk about it at that point but I didn’t really think they would go through with it, because after playing for India for 18 years all I did was ask to play the Olympics with Rohan (Bopanna) and Sania (Mirza). But they obviously misconstrued the facts. They’re an autonomous body so apparently they can do whatever they want to.

Q: Do you regret breaking up your partnership with Leander Paes?

A: I didn’t break it up. He broke it up. At the end of the 2011 season, he felt we would play better with a different partner and that was the end of it. He said that he thought it was best we didn’t continue to play together, that we play better with a different, younger partner. He wanted a younger partner.

Q: Does age really matter here?

A: That you will have to ask him. It’s his decision.

Q: Is the split always at the back of your mind? You’d played together for a long time, after all.

A: It’s not always at the back of my mind. Life goes on.

Q: Is there scope for reconciliation with Leander?

A: As in playing together again?

Q: Playing, patching up?

A: I’ve always said in the last 12 years that I never say never. So let’s see what happens in the future.

Q: Is there anything you miss about the good times with Leander?

A: Is this story focused on Leander?

Q: No, there are other questions too.

A: Good times… We’ve won three grand slams together. He is the best partner I've played with, there’s no doubt about that.

Q: What about Rohan Bopanna? Where does he score?

A: Rohan has a very big game. He’s one of the more dangerous players out there.

Q: Some believe that the split with Leander happened because you were always in his shadow.

A: Life has moved on. We’ve both married, we both have kids. I did not know I was doing a life down my road interview. I’m happy to talk about what’s going on today.

Q: Besides the ban, what is topmost on your mind today?

A: (Pause) We are playing in China next week, then at the Beijing Open and after that the Shanghai Masters.

Q: So life’s good, in short.

A: Yes, no complaints. Except that I’ve been banned from playing for India.

Q: What does the ban mean to you?

A: I’ve been extremely angry since I’ve been banned. I’ve played for 18 years and in the twilight of my career this is not something I really wanted to deal with.

Q: Do you feel you played a role in inviting the ban?

A: Did you read my press statement? And my letter? So you know the story. Do you still believe I forced my partner?

Q: Do you believe you are a victim of political machinations?

A: It’s in my statement… I feel like I’m dealing with the personal vendetta of one man in the federation. Can we wrap this up now? I’m almost home.