Leander Paes talks about how age has made him better over the years, can India produce a Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal and did he ever think of quitting.
Q Who has been your inspiration to play tennis consistently for so many years?
My fans, family and team. You have a passion for the game and love what you do. But it's the love of your fans, the belief and support of your family and the hard work of the team around you that makes it possible to do what I do. This year I missed having my daughter Aiyana watch the Wimbledon. I've been fortunate to have been with my team for years my yoga trainer and physiotherapist Sanjay Singh, my coaches Ricky Leach and Dave Herrman who take time away from their families to travel on the road and better my career. That's my biggest achievement I think to have great people around me and that's why I am who I am.
Q Can you tell us of the major hurdles you have faced so far and how did you overcome them?
I am going through the hardest time of my life just now. I am a very private person and tend to live by my values that are important to me. There's a line in Rudyard Kipling's poem ' ..meet with Triumph and Disaster, and treat those two imposters just the same.' I know that life has its ups and downs and this time too shall pass, but what is important for me is the truth. I want to do the best I can as a father, as an athlete and son to my parents.
Q What can you tell us the role Martina Hingis has played with you? What have you learnt from her?
I love Martina's passion for life and her passion for striving for excellence. It is how she is as a person and what she brings to the court. I also love her humility and her ability to adapt to the needs to the moment on court.
Q Do you feel with age, you have become better?
I have managed to find a healthy balance of keeping the body and mind in great shape. Being completely fresh which has added with my 25 years of experience. I feel that I'm fitter than I was ever before.
Q What's the reason which has kept you going?
A mix of staying grounded and happy. Also having a great team around me to help me take on the elite of the international professional circuit.
Q According to you what's the state of tennis in India?
The number of players in the country have grown. This has happened because of the amount of tennis academies, gyms, training facilities which have multiplied over the last couple of years. However, what we still have to improve is developing tennis players who can win grand slams and top level tournaments consistently.
Q Why can't India ever produce a tennis player like Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal?
No, we surely can. Roger Federer and Rafel Nadal come from countries that have amazing awareness and training systems. Places which are set up to build champions. Moreover, they also get the financial support and backing from a young age.
Q Was there any time in your career where you thought of quitting, but didn't. What kept you going?
Yes there have been couple of times in my career, when I did get to a point where either my mind or body was exhausted. This is what it takes to be a professional tennis player. It was then, I relied on my mental strength, patience and my team who have stood by me through my whole career. They continue to push me every day to be the best that I can be.