Top Indian tennis sensation, Leander Paes has announced that 2020 will be his last year as a professional tennis player.
The 46-year old who has been calling for the reintegration of youths into the game had partnered with famous Lee-Hesh and Mahesh Bhupathi to win many honours for India will bid the sport goodbyes after next season.
Leander announced the development on his Twitter page, adding that he will be picking and choosing tournaments next year to meet his fans all around the world.
He got to the tip of his career almost instantly as a youth in 1999 when he won the men’s double tournament alongside his partner, Mahesh.
He followed up on their maiden Grand Slam triumph in the French Open, by beating Paul Haarhuis of the Netherlands and Jared Palmer of the US, 6-7(10), 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) in the final.
Leander further stepped up his game-winning titles with others like Radek Stepanek and mixed doubles with Martina Navratilova. To his credit, the 46-year-old has won eight doubles and ten mixed doubles Grand Slam titles and holds a career Grand Slam in men’s doubles and mixed doubles
Leander who featured in his Olympic in 1992 will look forward to ending his career on a high note at Tokyo 2020 Olympics which will be held in Japan next year. The legend has already participated in 7 Olympics, and he is the only tennis player ever to do so.
Speaking with Times of India in a recent interview, Leander said that he plays at 46 for happiness, adding that there is nothing more to play.
Speaking on any grand slam which he had won them all in doubles and mixed doubles, the legend said if he looks in terms of longevity, he is the only player apart from Sir Rod Laver to have won Wimbledon in three different decades.
Leander recently returned to the India team after 18 months absence alongside his double partner, Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan, who was also made his debut within 52 minutes dispatched Pakistan’s twin 17-year-olds, Muhammad Shoaib and Huzaifa Abdul Rehman, 6-1, 6-3 to in the Davies Cup tie.
Written by Oladipupo Mojeed
