Sport | Tennis
'Leander was born with quick reflexes'
Tennis ace's father says his son, after nearly two decades on court, knows how to keep his body in peak form
- By Gautam Bhattacharyya, Deputy Sports Editor
- Published: 00:00 June 7, 2010
- Image Credit: AFP
- Leander Paes (left) and Lukas Dlouhy with the men's doubles runners-up trophy after losing the final to Nenad Zimonjic and Daniel Nestor at the French Open.
Dubai: It would have been a fitting climax for Leander Paes to have wrapped up his 12th Grand Slam title at the Roland Garros on Saturday, but then sport at the highest competitive level does not often make way for wish fulfilment. He and Czech partner Lukas Dlouhy failed to retain their French Open men's doubles title, going down to the second seeded pair of Daniel Nestor and Nestor Zimonjic in straight sets (7-5, 6-2).
However, the Indian had begun his 20th year on the circuit in great style — making the finals of both the Grand Slams so far and wrapping up the Australian Open in January for his 11th career slam. A feat — which made him equal erstwhile doubles partner Mahesh Bhupathi's record of highest Grand Slam titles for an Indian.
Simply amazing
The last three years had seen a major resurgence in the career of this elder statesman of Indian tennis, as he had gone on to claim one Grand Slam doubles crown after another — either in doubles or mixed doubles. At an age where most of his peers have either gracefully retired or taken over the role of non-playing captains, the 36-year-old's passion for the game and fitness level have been simply amazing.
What's more, he also promised to be back with the same partner at Roland Garros next year for another shot at the title which he has already won thrice.
"I want to thank Lukas the way he stuck by me and I hope to come back again with him next year," Paes said in the post-match conference.
Given the high energy that he still manages to infuse in his performance, what makes him tick? Dr Vece Paes, his father-cum-mentor, tried to put things in perspective: "Leander was born with what is referred to in medical terms as fast twitch fibres, a quality that has given him the quick reflexes. The fact that he only plays doubles these days means it requires short bursts of speed and hence he can cope with it perfectly."
Competitive nature
Speaking to Gulf News from India, Sr Paes says after nearly two decades in the business he knows to how to manage his body and prepares specially for the Grand Slams. "He prepares for two weeks prior to any Slam event and it seems to be good enough. Add to this his intensely competitive nature, which keeps him motivated even after all these years," he observed.
Zeeshan Ali, a former Indian Davis Cupper and Paes' erstwhile teammate, felt a major factor behind the Indian's success rate in doubles was that he always complemented his partner's style in a superb manner. "If one looks at both [Mahesh] Bhupathi and Dlouhy, both were his perfect foil on the left hand court with good serve and solid groundstrokes, while it was left to Leander to attack the opponent and go for those impossible returns," Ali observed.
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