Hamilton-Rosberg, Paes-Bhupathi: Torn apart by inter-personal tension

There are times when the problem for a sportsman/team is not so much the opposition but the tensions within:

Lewis Hamilton vs Nico Rosberg

The cold war between the Mercedes teammates grew after a collision during the Belgian GP on Sunday, which increased Rosberg's lead over Hamilton in the standings. Hamilton blamed Rosberg for the crash, but insisted he wouldn't look for retribution. Don't expect the two, however, to cook a barbecue when the season ends.




Sunil Gavaskar vs Kapil Dev

They are pally veterans now but at the height of their powers in the 80s, the two had a falling out of sorts. Causes ranged from pride to the Mumbai-Delhi factions in the national team to their performances under each other's captaincy. Thankfully, it never plunged to the depths of the Paes-Bhupathi scrap.




Jenson Button vs Sebastien Vettel

Formula 1 lends itself to personality clashes because from the two main drivers, one has to play second fi ddle. Button, despite being a world champion, felt Red Bull favoured Vettel. The two drivers had several on-track clashes too. And privately the drivers have gone as red with rage as the bull in their team's logo because of the other's actions.




Leander Paes vs Mahesh Bhupathi

A success story of Indian tennis has now become a punchline. Reasons like ego clashes, manipulation and laziness towards practice destroyed a partnership the world had come to fear. But what can you do when your own teammate doesn't want you to win a particular trophy or medal?




Nancy Kerrigan vs Tonya Harding

In January 1994, with Kerrigan scaling new peaks of success, an assailant struck her on the right knee with a baton. The attack was orchestrated by Harding's ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly. Harding denied involvement, but made a sex-tape with Gillooly the same year.