“My deep rooted love for hockey stems from my father” - Leander Paes opens up about turning a new page with the Hockey India League [Exclusive]
Indian tennis legend Leander Paes has lived through many moments in his illustrious career that every aspiring athlete dreams of. However, despite reaching the pinnacle of his sport, there's still something that excites the 18-time Grand Slam title winner.
For Leander, it is the unwavering love for Indian hockey that will forever ignite passion within him. Paes proudly embraces his legacy as the son of Indian hockey legend and Olympic medalist, Vece Paes. The 51-year-old is now carrying forward his father's legacy through his involvement in the Hockey India League 2024 (HIL).
Paes joined hands with the Shrachi Rahr Bengal Tigers for the league and feels proud to give back to the sport he loves. Leander Paes was in a conversation with Sportskeeda on the sidelines of the recent HIL player auction.
“Hockey runs in my blood. My deep rooted love for hockey stems from my father. I grew up on the hockey maidans in Kolkata with my father’s team and in a way they all raised me. When I went to the Olympics as a 19-year-old, it was the India Hockey Team that looked after me. I have a special connect with hockey and now to be a part of the Bengal Tigers and the HIL is a special moment for me," said Leander.
The International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee, Paes, also expressed pride in watching the sport grow beyond the men's game. It is the inaugural women's league that has really left the tennis star delighted.
“I would like to congratulate Hockey India for the women’s league. Players being sold for such big amounts is a huge thing and is unprecedented. Not just 8 teams in the men's, but the 4 teams in the women’s HIL is even bigger news. It shows that we as a sporting nation are progressing in the right direction," he added.
There are many parallels between tennis and hockey: Leander Paes chalks out similarities between the two sports
Although Leander Paes has spent his life excelling in a sport entirely different from hockey, he finds striking similarities between the two. For Paes, the mental and physical dedication required of an athlete remains constant across sports.
"The emotional and physical aspect, teamwork, leadership is common between all sports. Be it tennis or hockey, I have learnt that sports is a vehicle that teaches us so much about life. Sports is not just to finish on the podium but also for the betterment of the society. It empowers the life of especially the younger ones as it is an outlet to get rid of your angst and anxiety.” concluded Leander.
The involvement of Leander Paes, one of India's most prominent sporstpersons, in sports beyond tennis marks a significant step toward India’s rise as a global sporting powerhouse. Those involved with the HIL will surely have a lot that they can take away from the pedigree and experience of a stalwart such as Paes.