The top 5 achievements of Leander Paes' career
17! That’s the number of Grand Slams Leander Paes has won in his illustrious career. Add to that junior titles at SW19 and Flushing Meadows and we have perhaps one of the greatest sportspersons India has ever produced.As was evident from his exploits at the recently concluded US Open, Paes is blessed with supreme natural gifts, an alert and receptive mind, and a physique that is still strong, supple and perfectly coordinated. As a result, he displays a lightning quickness in conception and execution that no one has ever quite equaled.Paes’ extraordinary quickness of eye and mind allow him to do things utterly impractical for others. But then it’s his zeal that makes him stand out. Time and again, over the years he has put country above everything else and that, for the millions who support him, is most awe-inspiring.People often talk about his age and how he discontinued playing singles to pursue and focus on doubles full time. That should not be the case though, for we should ideally be willing to look upon Paes as a character actor now, as a piece in an ensemble who is acting as a guiding force to Indian tennis.Ahead of India’s World Group Play-off vs Czech Republic, we pay homage to Paes and look back at some of his most illustrious achievements:
#5 Three-peat in 2015
Just when people had started to write him off, Paes recorded arguably his best season on tour this year. In fact, if not for the disappointment at Roland Garros, he could have clinched the calendar Grand Slam in mixed doubles with Switzerland’s Martina Hingis.