Estranged partners Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi must reunite if they nurture any hopes of winning the tennis doubles gold in next year's Olympics in Athens, Leander's father Dr Vece Paes said on Friday.

If they decide to team up for Athens, they have to play together at least two-three months before the event to get into a rhythm," the senior Paes said.

Leander Paes and Bhupathi are considered one of the best bets to win gold for India at the Athens Games next year.

Dr Paes' comments effectively means the former world number one pair, who split for the second time in April last year, would have to reunite early in 2004 since finding a partner later would be difficult.

Moreover, the 'two-three months' referred to by Paes prior to the Games scheduled to be held in August would cover the French Open and the Wimbledon.

The senior Paes, however, said he was unaware of news reports which said India's two leading doubles players had discussed such a reunification in Montreal, Canada, where they are currently playing in a ATP Tennis Masters event.

"I am not aware if the two are coming together for 2004.... I don't know if they sat and discussed," he said.

Dr Paes, a sports medicine expert and a former international hockey player, said the players would have to decide for themselves whether they wished to play together or not.

"Obviously it will be good for the country if they play together but ultimately it is their decision," he said.