Leander Paes up for seventh Olympic quest

Paes, a legend in world tennis, completed a century of partners, when he paired up with Spaniard Marcel Granollers at Nottingham Open in June last year – a mark that only 50 players have achieved in international tennis. 

Interestingly, Paes will be partnering Granollers again at the Chennai Open, but in the meanwhile, he changed his partners six times. Within a space of six months, Paes had partnered with Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka and Rafael Nadal, among others. So, what makes him change his partners? “It is natural that I play with many partners as I have 25 years of playing career,” Paes said on Sunday, when he was announced as the global ambassador of Legendari Group, which own the ITPL franchise Japan Warriors. 

Paes added, “I do a lot of work while choosing my partners because I attention to the strengths and weaknesses of them. I also consider my weaknesses and strengths as well. I like to learn from my partners and obviously, I think they also learn from me. I have played against different generations of tennis players, including Borna Coric, who is the youngest player in Chennai Open.” 

Paes pointed out that each of his tennis partners have taught him something. “Among my partners, Ivo Karlović was almost two feet taller than me, Radek Štćpánek had the best second serve and he is also one of the last in the dying breed of serve and volley players. Everyone has taught me something,” he mused. 

About his first round match in Chennai Open against Wawrinka (Switzerland) and Garcia Lopez (Spain), Paes conceded that it will be a tough one. “But if we succeed, it will open up the draw. Stan is a great singles player and I have played with him in Paris,” he said. 

Paes is confident that Granollers would be great to work with. “I partnered him once. He is a wonderful talent,” said this champion, adding that at the age of 42, he’s not finished yet. “I feel I have a couple of years left in me and maybe a couple of Grand Slam titles too and one more Olympic games, which will be my seventh,” he concluded.