tennis player, olympian
At 43, professional athletes are more likely to put up their feet and reminisce of past glories. That is unless you are Leander Paes. The majority of his peers have retired but the hunger to win continues to propel Leander who is still looking to enhance his Grand Slam trophy count from the present 18. His goals for 2017 include two more Slams even as he is just one win short of being the greatest ever Davis Cup doubles player.
Leander’s continued ability to keep performing at the highest echelons of a sport as grueling as tennis is testimony to his monkish lifestyle that revolves around keeping things simple and ensuring that the sport stays his number one priority. With seven Olympics, Leander is not only India’s most accomplished Olympian but is also the only tennis player to have managed the feat. His Atlanta singles bronze stays one of the most cherished moments of his career and playing for the flag has always been the primary motivation all throughout his 25 years on tour.
With 10 mixed Grand Slam titles, Leander is also history’s most accomplished mixed doubles player. The secret to this illustrious career has been his work ethic and single-mindedness in pursuing what give him and his fans the greatest amount of pleasure – gunning down those major titles and keeping the Indian flag flying high.