Leander wins 11th, says it’s for Indians in Australia
In claiming his 11th Grand Slam title Paes not only touched compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi’s mark but also took a step worthy of his stature.
Indian sport’s greatest statesman has done it again. Even as we wax eloquent (fittingly, too) about Roger Federer, Leander Paes gave us yet another reminder that at the rarified ionosphere of world sport, there isn’t another Indian like him.In claiming his 11th Grand Slam title by lifting the 2010 Australian Open mixed doubles trophy with Cara Black, Paes not only touched compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi’s mark but also took a step worthy of his stature.The champion has dedicated his win to the betterment of the now estranged relationship between India and Australia. While talking to DNA from Melbourne shortly after his win on Sunday, Leander said: “On the backdrop of the recent attacks against Indians in Australia...I’d like to reach out to my countrymen here and dedicate this Australian Open title towards the betterment of the relationship between these two great nations.”Following a spate of attacks Down Under on Indians, which New Delhi perceives as being “racially motivated”, the rapport between the two nations is at an all-time low.Ever the champion with a keen sense of history, the 36-year-old knows sport can connect when other avenues fail.“I firmly believe that sport can build bridges, mend relationships. I hope my victory goes some way in ensuring a better understanding,” Leander said.The Indian-Zimbabwean pair didn’t have a cakewalk, though, as they won 7-5 6-3 against Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova and Czech Jaroslav Levinsky.Black, in particular, had trouble holding on to her serve in the first set. Leander’s experience came in handy.“It’s a team sport,” Leander told this newspaper, adding: “Sometimes your partner won’t play well. I tried to boost her confidence...simplify the game. It happens in team sport...sometimes one partner plays well, sometimes another. The team has to play well at the end of the day.”On his chemistry with Black, Leander quipped: “This is my sixth Grand Slam with Cara. We have reached four finals and have won two of them so it’s not a bad record!” Paes now has six men’s doubles and five mixed-doubles titles. It was also his second Australian Open mixed doubles title having won his first in 2003 with Martina Navratilova.Does he feel the weight of his achievements? “It was my 21st final and 11th title, so obviously it feels great. The important thing is I have been able to retain the motivation needed for the success. My family has been instrumental in providing me the necessary support... I am lucky that way... Hopefully I can carry on in the same vein.”