For some, life begins at 40, says a report in Times Of India, adding that ask Leander Paes, who celebrates that landmark birthday on Monday.
“The journey started at the tender age of 12, with a trip to the Amritrajs ' BAT academy in Chennai. Within six years, the teenager turned pro. The rest, as they say, is history. He went on to win an Olympic singles medal, more than a dozen doubles Grand Slam titles and over 50 men's doubles championships. But the fire still burns in his belly as he looks to take on new challenges in his quest to entertain people. Not just on the tennis court, but off it too,” says the report.
“It's been a very challenging year for me, both personally and professionally, and in many ways I feel like I'm hitting a refresh button on many fronts. Lots of new things are beginning to emerge and that's always a good feeling, but the process can sometimes be tough. But it's my team, the people who've stood by me all these years through thick and thin, that has stayed constant. It's these people, my friends and family that I celebrate as I turn 40,” says Leander to TOI, adding that he always believed that age is just a number.
“That's something Martina taught me when she was winning Grand Slams at 50. For me, tennis has always been about passion, playing for my fans, entertaining them, and really enjoying the process. So, as long as my fans are entertained and I'm enjoying playing, I will continue to play,” he said.
Meanwhile Hindustan Times writes that Paes doesn’t feel the age. “Wearing a trendy denims-and-black-shirt ensemble and the boyish grin and still fit he certainly doesn’t look the age. But a jog back to the memories at Wimbledon, which he first played in 1989 and took the juniors’ singles title in 1990, gives a sense of just how far he has travelled.”
“It has been a long journey, no?” he considers. For a generation of Indian fans born post the 1980, Paes, like that mountain on the horizon, has been a constant on the sporting landscape.
“I left home when I was 12. Won Wimbledon in 1990, played my first Davis Cup match in 1990. Now that I think of it, I do really feel old! But there have been so many amazing memories along the way, and the memories are still so vivid; that’s what has kept me going.”
And rather than slowing down, Paes is still exploring avenues to outfox his opponents. Like a child talking about his new toy, he excitedly chats about switching racquets from Babolat to Head.
“It’s not a bigger (racquet) head, but it is supposed to create more speed through the air,” he explains. “I am trying to get more kick into the serve and developing a top-spin backhand, something that I never had. As long as you are playing, you have to keep re-inventing yourself.”
