Leander Paes may be 34, but he is far from quitting what is after all one of the most gruelling professional sports in the world.
NEW DELHI: Leander Paes may be 34, but he is far from quitting what is after all one of the most gruelling professional sports in the world.
The Davis Cup ace is now going to partner Paul Hanley for the 2008 season. Australian Hanley is reputed to be one of the most talented doubles players to have never won a Grand Slam. He has been consistently amongst the top-10 doubles players in the world since end 2003.
Leander will be splitting with his two-year old partner Martin Damm after the season ending Masters at Shanghai in November. “I have had a great run with Martin and am looking to have an excellent Fall season — especially if we can win the Masters,” said Paes.
The two won the 2006 US Open and three other titles together, including the Masters series at Indian Wells early this year. While Paes and Damm are placed at number three on the ATP Doubles Race, Hanley along with partner Kevin Ullyett is just a step behind at four.
The main reason for Paes moving on appears to be the apparent lack of success in the Grand Slams coupled with the fact that the 30-year-old Hanley will bring in a more eager set of legs.
The mutual desire of the duo is to gun for the big four. This year Paes and Damm have not progressed beyond the quarters (Wimbledon) in a Slam. The defending champions also lost in the first round of the US Open.
Meanwhile there is no concrete development on the issue of Paes and Bhupathi gearing up for the Beijing Olympics with the latter’s overtures not making much impression on Paes. Bhupathi is the one who is repeatedly making efforts to try and end the impasse. Paes is categorical in stating that he is not willing to put his commitments on the tour on hold to team up with Bhupathi.
Then, Bhupathi has been clear that unless they play a couple of tour events going into the mega Games, they do not stand any chance.
It is becoming apparent that the differences between the two — especially in the aftermath of the Doha fallout — have reached a point from where reconciliation is getting to be quite an ask. Paes has always been identified with playing for the flag and it remains to be seen if he can overcome his personal differences with Bhupathi for the sake of national interest.
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