Leander Paes’ achievements — 18 Grand Slam crowns in doubles and mixed doubles and the men’s singles bronze medal in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, apart from various other titles — are testimony to the hunger in the man. Even at the age of 43, and despite having had setbacks on and off the court, THE DESIRE FOR TITLES REMAINS.
At 43, Leander Paes has very little interest to display his game to the world. However, he is eager to play if he gets a partner who can stir up the positive energy in him, and in front of a crowd that brings out the Indian in him.
His achievements — 18 Grand Slam crowns in doubles and mixed doubles and the men’s singles bronze medal in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics behind Andre Agassi (gold) and Sergi Bruguera (silver) when he was learning the ropes in the professional circuit in 1996, and various other titles — are testimony to the hunger in the man. The hunger still remains regardless of the odds stacked against him, and despite the constant negative vibes that would normally drive one away from the tennis court.
He was accused of being disinclined to prepare hard for the 2016 Olympics, blamed for landing just two days before the competition in Rio. But in fact, Leander had done remarkably well to prepare for his seventh Olympics by not only keeping his ranking at a respectable level by reaching the quarterfinals of the men’s doubles at the French Open but also by competing in the Challengers.
“I CALL THE CHALLENGERS the real trenches. It is where you see hungry athletes, fighting hard. They fight there not for a good life, but to survive. The spark comes from there,” said Paes in a chat with Sportstar during the Davis Cup tie against Spain in New Delhi.
It required a player like Saketh Myneni, an athlete with an open mind, willing to listen and learn, to bring out the positive side of Paes,as the spectators witnessed at the R. K. Khanna Stadium. The Olympic champions, Rafael Nadal and Marc Lopez, had to be at the top of their game for more than three hours, to win a thriller against the Indian pair and seal the Davis Cup World Group berth for Spain, which eventually won the tie-5-0.
Denne historien er fra October 1, 2016-utgaven av Sportstar.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 1, 2016-utgaven av Sportstar.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears
Organisers in Japan cancelled the amateur portion of the Tokyo marathon, affecting around 38,000 runners, on fears about the spread of the new coronavirus in Japan.
Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT
What should the criteria be? What weight should be attached to each criterion? And what should not be considered as valid criteria?
The making of a batting behemoth
If Steve Smith dominated the Ashes in England in a dramatic, blockbuster fashion then his like for like a replacement, Marnus Labuschagne, is the Next Big Thing after an exciting summer of run-glut.
WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...
It was an evening of nostalgia and celebration when the Sportstar Aces awards were given away in Mumbai.
A question of recognition
After a week of awards, one wonders if it’s only a departed player that one will be named after.
Thinking straight, thinking right!
“A lot depends on when I am bowling and what is required from me. That’s something I do when I play for India and I try to follow the same thing in the domestic circuit,” says Yuzvendra Chahal.
The Big Three and the Next Gen
Though the Big Three are very unlikely to retire during the same year, Judy Murray, mother of Andy, echoed the sentiments of many fans worried about the impact of their departures.
WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH
Sport at large and cricket specifically has taken an inordinately long time to address the elephant in the room — the dark abyss of depression.
Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room
Bangladesh quick Abu Jayed Rahi is new in the red-ball arena, but his swing brings back old memories — of James Anderson on green tops.
The league of the masses
With traditional clubs locking horns with the hard-working nurseries of the game, the I-League will continue to keep the beating heart of Indian football alive despite official apathy.
