India's Mahesh Bhupathi launched an attack on team mate Leander Paes on Wednesday, just hours after the feuding duo won Asian Games gold in the tennis doubles.

India's Leander Paes (top) and Mahesh Bhupathi celebrate winning the second set during their men's tennis final match against twins Sanchai Ratiwatana and Sonchat Ratiwatana of Thailand at the 15th Asian Games in Doha December 13, 2006. [Reuters]

Paes had earlier in the Games publicly questioned Bhupathi's fitness and commitment after a defeat had led to a first round exit in the men's team event against Taiwan.

"There have been all kinds of questions about my loyalty to the country and my fitness," an upset Bhupathi said on Wednesday.

"I heard he doesn't want to play with me again... I'm not going to go and beg anybody.

"If it is the end of the road for the 'Indian Express' (their nickname) then I'm glad it is ending on a high note.

"Honestly, I have been living with his comments for the last 12 years."

The multiple grand slam doubles winners reached the final of all four grand slams in 1999, winning at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

They drifted apart soon after, however, and no longer play together on the tour.

Bhupathi, 32, had initially refused to play in the Asian Games after he was snubbed when officials paired top woman player Sania Mirza with Paes.

FELT HUMILIATED

Mirza and Paes won the mixed doubles gold on Wednesday.

Bhupathi said he had felt humiliated after Paes refused to play with him, only being forced to continue because younger team mate Rohan Bopanna refused to step in.

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"I'm glad we got past that," he said. "Our goal was to win the gold and that has been done.

"We have had this strange relationship for seven years but once we get on court the rest takes a backseat.

"I'm just glad I'm going home with a gold medal. Hopefully it is over."

Bhupathi, 32, virtually ruled out teaming up with Paes, 33, at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in their bid to claim an elusive doubles gold medal.

"We should stop talking about that Olympic gold," he said.

"It is clearly not happening with both of us."

Paes played down the rift after the mixed doubles.

"For India, I'd love to play with Mahesh anytime, he is a stalwart and a pillar of my team," the Davis Cup captain said.

"Let us not get carried away with what happened earlier this week."