Leander Paes is one of the most renowned professional male tennis players from India. He is deemed to be among the best mixed double players as well as an excellent doubles player in history. His career has been envious for many and he clearly sits on the top of Indian Tennis' elites.
Here is an attempt at putting together his life and also his illustrious career:
#1. His Life
Paes’ father Vece Paes was a part of the Indian hockey team in 1972. His mother Jennifer was a part of the Indian basketball team.
(Image Courtsey: Rediff)
He received his training from Britannia Amritraj Tennis Academy in Tamil Nadu.
(Image Courtesy: Sportskeeda)
He won the Wimbledon Junior title in 1990. He was only 17 then.
(Image Courtesy: Sportskeeda)
He was ranked the number one tennis player in the mixed-doubles category in 1999.
(Image Courtesy: The Indian Express)
He became the oldest man to win the Grand Slam at the age of 41 when he won the Australian Open in 2015.
(Image Courtesy: Ndtv.com)
He has longest doubles streak in Davis Cup history along with teammate, Mahesh Bhupati.
(Image Courtesy: Sify.com)
He became Haryana’s Sports Ambassador in 2012.
(Image Courtesy: India.com)
He is the only Indian to compete in six Olympic Games in a row. His latest Olympics appearance was in Beijing 2012 Olympics.
(Image Courtesy: NewsX)
Apart from being a tennis legend, he is also a movie star. He played the lead role in the political drama Rajdhani Express.
(Image Courtesy: Box Office India)
#2. The Heights Of His Career
In 1996, he formed a formidable partnership with Mahesh Bhupathi as the duo went on to break several records. His performances saw his ranking rise from 89 to 14 by the end of that year.
(Image Courtesy: DNA)
He got India a first individual medal after more than 40 years in the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. He won a bronze medal.
(Image Courtesy: Rediff)
The legendary duo of Paes and Bhupathi reached the semis of three grand slams- the US Open, the French Open, and the Australian Open in 1998.
(Image Courtesy: The Indian Express)
Li and Hesh, as they are often called, finally conquered the clay court when they won the French Open in the summer of 2001.
(Image Courtesy: Rediff)
They even won the gold in the doubles event in the 2002 Busan Asian Games.
(Image Courtesy: Dailymail)
He won the 2006 US Open in the doubles category with partner Martin Damm.
(Image Courtesy: Rediff)
He even won the 2008 US open in the mixed doubles category with Zimbabwean Tennis star Cara Black.
(Image Courtesy: TopNews)
The year 2009 was one of the greatest in his illustrious career. He won both the French Open and the US Open in the doubles category.
(Image Courtesy: StoryPick)
#3. Awards
2016 Indian Of The Year
(Image Courtesy: Success Stories)
2014 Padma Bhushan
(Image Courtesy: Ndtv.com)
2001 Padma Shri
(Image Courtesy: PIB)
Here's a video in which the legend of lawn urges you to stay motivated!
(Video: NDTV)
(Featured Image Courtesy: Women's Exclusive)
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