When Leander Paes, Ramesh Krishnan agonizingly missed out on an Olympic medal
Leander Paes and Ramesh Krishnan missed out on winning an Olympic medal in the 1992 edition of the quadrennial event in Barcelona. Currently, there is a bronze medal match in the Olympics in tennis, but back then, both losing semi-finalists got the bronze medals. Hence, had Paes and Krishnan won their quarterfinal match, they would have assured India a medal in men’s doubles.
At the age of 18, Paes had the chance of winning an Olympic medal, but luck did not favor him. The duo started by beating the pair of Iztok Bozic and Blaz Trupej 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. In the second round, Paes and Krishnan got the better of John Fitzgerald and Todd Woodbridge 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 6-1. However, they faltered in the quarters, losing 6-7 (3), 7-5, 4-6, 3-6 to Goran Ivanisevic and Goran Prpic.
The duo of Boris Becker and Michael Stich won the gold medal in men’s doubles. Switzerland’s Marc Rosset and USA’s Jennifer Capriati won the men’s singles and women’s singles titles, respectively. The American pair of Gigi Fernandez and Mary Joe Fernandez won the women’s doubles title.
How did Leander Paes perform in singles event at Olympics?
Leander Paes could not make an impact in singles in Barcelona after crashing out in the very first round. But the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta belonged to Paes, who became the first Indian to win an Olympic medal after clinching bronze. He beat Fernando Ariel Meligeni 3–6, 6–2, 6–4 to achieve the feat.
Paes is also the only tennis player to take part in seven Olympic games. He achieved his career-best singles ranking of No. 73 in 1998.
Leander Paes also ruled the roost in Indian tennis as far as Grand Slams are concerned. He won the doubles title three times apiece at the French Open and US Open. Paes won the Wimbledon four times in 1999, 2003, 2010 and 2015 in the mixed doubles. Interestingly, he along with Mahesh Bhupathi rose to world No. 1 in the men's doubles rankings in 1999.