As teams in the world group battle it out this weekend, eyes will also be fixated on Leander Paes as he bids to become the most successful doubles player in Davis Cup history.
Peas will participate in India’s Davis Cup tie against New Zealand in the first round of the Asia/Oceania Group 1. The appearance comes 27 years after he made his debut, helping his country secure a 4-1 win over Japan in 1990. Since then the 18-time doubles grand slam champion has already participated in 54 clashes for his country.
The 43-year-old is currently has 42 doubles wins in the team competition, equalling Italy’s Nicola Pietrangeli. Pietrangeli is best remembered for winning both the singles and doubles titles at the 1959 French Open. Set to play New Zealand duo Artem Sitak and Michael Venus on Saturday, a win would hand Paes an historic 43rd win in doubles matches. He will be joined in the bid by doubles partner Vishnu Vardhan, who teamed up with Paes at the 2012 London Olympics.
“I think Vishnu and I are bound by destiny,” Paes recently told India media.
”I have always said that I will put my best foot forward for the country, and that stays the same even with world record on the line.”
So far in his career, Paes has won eight grand slam titles in the men’s doubles and ten in the mixed. His most recent achievement occurred last year at Roland Garros when he teams up with Martina Hingis to win major title No.18. He is also a former top 100 player in the singles and won a bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Despite playing in seven consecutive Olympic Games since 1992, the Calcutta-born player has no intentions of hanging up his racket yet as he aims to expand his trophy collection.
“I don’t have anything to prove to anybody. I play because I love the game. I have done the hard work for 30 years and am proud of it,’’ Paes told The Hindu.
“I am looking forward to winning a couple of more grand slams. I am feeling at my fittest in 14 years. I have never listened to what people say. Had I done that I would not have won one grand slam.’’
India will host their Davis Cup tie against New Zealand at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune.
