Radek is the best doubles partner I have ever had: Leander Paes

Fourteen Grand Slams. That’s as many as Sampras...
We look at benchmarks in different ways. For me, more than the 14 titles, I actually look at the 31 Grand Slam finals I have played. Why do I look at it like that? Because, I think, in terms of longevity, it’s much harder to be as consistent.

And once I won my 10th Grand Slam, then they just become numbers. But each Grand Slam has its own story. Every time I look at my trophies, I recollect and remember all the memories and what all I had to do to get there. So those 31 finals mean a lot.

What’s the story of your latest triumph?
Wow! This won has many. One, this has been the hardest year I’ve had as a professional. My continuous friendship with Radek (Stepanek) and standing by him when he went through his surgery, rehab... I waited for about six months for him to get completely healthy again. Tennis is my bread and butter. So to wait for six months for your partner to be healthy was very natural for me as a person.

You’ve always maintained that Doubles is all about trust. The way you gel with Radek is amazing. The crab dance...
(Interrupts) Oh, they’ve given it a name, already? (laughs). His mom was a librarian and his dad a tennis coach. He reckons he didn’t like reading books so he took up tennis (laughs).

He’s a complete whacko?
Yeah, he’s out there; he’s quite wild. He’s a thorough professional, but his thought process is totally whacked out, in a great way. He is a complete prankster and he’s very intelligent. He’s definitely got his mother’s ‘librarian’ mind. Even when we are in the most tense of situations on court, and as the rally is going on, he’s always thinking and finding a way (to win the point). And that’s why he’s the best doubles partner I’ve ever had. With most other partners, I’ve always had to lead from the front. But Radek has that immense ability to take over. He understands what I’m doing and adapts excellently.

What does he mean to your family?
Aiyana (Leander’s daughter) recognises him straight up. My dad will call and speak to him first. Ditto with my mom. His dad doesn’t speak English, but I still speak with him on the phone. When we meet, we just communicate with our eyes and the little Czech that I know, courtesy the nine partners that I’ve had from the Czech Republic. I speak to his mom and dad. Radek and I help each other with a lot of decisions in our life as individuals and as professionals. That’s something is quite unique and I’m quite honoured to have him as a partner.