In continuation of the company's efforts to support the development of Indian tennis, Apollo Tyres Ltd [ Get Quote ] on Tuesday signed up the doubles team of India's [ Images ] Mahesh Bhupathi [ Images ] and Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic for the ATP and Gland Slam tours of 2007.

This comes exactly a year after Apollo Tyres decided to support the training expenses of the teenage prodigy from Delhi [ Images ], Yuki Bhambri [ Images ]. In the summer of 2006, Yuki has trained under Bob Brett in San Remo, Italy [ Images ], and held the number one ranking for both Asia and India Under-14 in 2006.

A Padmashree holder, Bhupathi has the record for the maximum Grand Slam titles won by an Indian -- four doubles and six mixed doubles. He has partnered with some of the best players like Martina Hingis [ Images ] and Mary Pierce [ Images ] in the mixed doubles and Leander Paes [ Images ] and Mario Ancic in the doubles.

However, it is Bhupathi's off-circuit work, developing and promoting the game, that has led Apollo to back the Bhupathi-Radek duo. While not on the ATP tour, Bhupathi devotes his time to promoting the sport in India by holding tennis camps for youngsters, while running a full time tennis academy in Bangalore.

Bhupathi and Stepanek have decided to play the circuit after promising results both times they played together in 2006. The duo reached the semi-finals at Monte Carlo in 2006, beating top teams like Paes-Damm and Federer-Allegro along the way.

The duo will begin their season with the Australian Open [ Images ], later this month, where they will play their first Grand Slam of the year. Bhupathi will be playing his preferred left court while Radek is a natural deuce-court specialist and will be playing on the right.