Leander Paes, in New Delhi, on Wednesday. It’s not like I am not prepared to put myself forward for the team.
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Paes said he was pleased to have had a great year in which he won three mixed doubles titles with Martina Hingis despite his troubles on the personal front. Leander’s decision to be available for this tie has pushed Saketh Myneni to the reserves. It is about nurturing the youngsters. And immediately, the winner of 19 Grand Slams got a whiff of Delhi’s sweltering heat.
About the tie against Czech Republic, Paes feels that the side with control of the first set might go on to win their matches. After sweating it out in a practice session in the national capital, the winner of 19 Grand Slams told The Indian Express that: “Physical fitness will be a huge factor in this tie”. It’s not best of three. “Really looking forward to welcoming him here”, he said. Dravid said it was “lovely” to watch Sania and Paes, playing the finals on television, as an Indian.
It’s this kind of effort, day-in-day-out, that has ensured that Leander remains a force in doubles despite his age. “We may see a lot of long rallies in the heat and humidity”, said Paes, who revealed that he was a bit indisposed. “I have stopped dating women tennis players”. It is really special. He attributed the success to his discipline and the fact that he had a great team, as much as his will to do his best on court, all the time.
Paes said Somdev and Yuki were capable of winning against their Czech opponents.
But he said irrespective of the Czech team combination, they have a tough job at hand.
“In sport, margins are very small”.
“I am playing against one of my brothers, Radek Stepanek“. To welcome Radek to India is special to me. “When the level comes to world group playoffs, the quality of tennis is high, and that is when I enjoy playing for my country”. “I am going to be ready for that”, he said.
“He is not only a great tennis player but also a great ambassador of the game. Three Slams in any year is phenomenal, but doing so after being on Tour for 25 years is special”, he says.
‘We have to play freely’.
“I already have a singles medal from the Olympics”.
“More important is to get to Rio in 100 per cent conditions”.
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The 36-year old then talked about Roger Federer’s newest shot, the SABR: “It’s something very interesting”.
