One is a 39 year old legend of Indian tennis and the other is a 34 year old Czech with a never say die attitude.
Up against a very formidable pairing of the Bryan brothers, who've been at the top of the doubles in mens tennis, for the last 270 weeks and who, very recently, blanked the Indo-Czech pair a couple of weeks ago.
An unseeded pair, who came together, not even a month ago, had no chance of reaching the semis, let alone the finals.
But the old school pair of Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek shook the mens doubles tennis world by shocking the Bryan twins, who were favorites to win their 12th slam thereby displacing the Woodies as the best doubles pairing ever.
A 7-6, 6-2 win over the World's No. 1 pair gave Leander his 14th grand slam and Radek Stepanek, his first, in any form of tennis.
By winning this Australian Open, Leander also completed a career slam in mens doubles. He's one French Open away from completing a career slam in mixed doubles as well.
While we go gaga over Sachin's longevity and records, very few have looked over his shoulder to see a legend in Leander Paes who has constructed an edifice of his own in the world of tennis.
His records speak for himself:
- 1 Olympic bronze medal
- 7 mens doubles grand slams (including a career slam)
- 6 mixed doubles grand slams
- 1 Junior Wimbledon title
- a successful career spanning 21 years
Aged 39, he still bounces around the court like an 'Energizer Bunny' making life difficult for his opponents.
He has been as consistent as anybody in the game, even more. Has been consistently winning titles and led India very admirably in Davis Cup campaigns as well.
Along with Mahesh Bhupathi, the 'Indian Express' was probably one of the most watched out for pairings in the world of mens doubles tennis.
Came back strongly from a malignant tumor in his brain and has still been winning titles.
His success has spawned a complete new generation of tennis players from India.
Having won most titles in the doubles category of tennis, ask him his favorite win and pat comes the reply, "the singles bronze at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996".
Here's a player who displays patriotism up his sleeve and wears the tricolor on his heart.
If sports is indeed added as a category for the 'Bharat Ratna', it begs a question, why not Leander??
Up against a very formidable pairing of the Bryan brothers, who've been at the top of the doubles in mens tennis, for the last 270 weeks and who, very recently, blanked the Indo-Czech pair a couple of weeks ago.
An unseeded pair, who came together, not even a month ago, had no chance of reaching the semis, let alone the finals.
But the old school pair of Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek shook the mens doubles tennis world by shocking the Bryan twins, who were favorites to win their 12th slam thereby displacing the Woodies as the best doubles pairing ever.
A 7-6, 6-2 win over the World's No. 1 pair gave Leander his 14th grand slam and Radek Stepanek, his first, in any form of tennis.
By winning this Australian Open, Leander also completed a career slam in mens doubles. He's one French Open away from completing a career slam in mixed doubles as well.
While we go gaga over Sachin's longevity and records, very few have looked over his shoulder to see a legend in Leander Paes who has constructed an edifice of his own in the world of tennis.
His records speak for himself:
- 1 Olympic bronze medal
- 7 mens doubles grand slams (including a career slam)
- 6 mixed doubles grand slams
- 1 Junior Wimbledon title
- a successful career spanning 21 years
Aged 39, he still bounces around the court like an 'Energizer Bunny' making life difficult for his opponents.
He has been as consistent as anybody in the game, even more. Has been consistently winning titles and led India very admirably in Davis Cup campaigns as well.
Along with Mahesh Bhupathi, the 'Indian Express' was probably one of the most watched out for pairings in the world of mens doubles tennis.
Came back strongly from a malignant tumor in his brain and has still been winning titles.
His success has spawned a complete new generation of tennis players from India.
Having won most titles in the doubles category of tennis, ask him his favorite win and pat comes the reply, "the singles bronze at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996".
Here's a player who displays patriotism up his sleeve and wears the tricolor on his heart.
If sports is indeed added as a category for the 'Bharat Ratna', it begs a question, why not Leander??
Well said. Leander no doubt deserves much more attention and ink than what he gets in reality. His attitude is what makes him what he is today and when you have that with you in truck loads, age has to just meekly follow on.
ReplyDeleteWell written article. One point that you missed is that in doubles he has achieved all this with 11 different partners - that is an achievement in itself. I do not think that any of the legendary doubles combos be it the Woodies, Bryan Brothers or anyone else can claim a better diversification record.
ReplyDeleteLeander has shown over the years that "Attitude more than Aptitude decides the Altitude one can go up to in life".