Pairing with Martina has rejuvenated me: Paes (INTERVIEW) By Qaiser Mohammad Ali, Indo-Asian News Service
New Delhi, Feb 16 (IANS) Indian tennis ace Leander Paes says his partnership with legendary American player Martina Navratilova has "revitalised" him and extended by a few years his career. "Playing with Martina taught me that I could continue for many more years," said Paes, who last week helped India beat Japan 4-1 in a Davis Cup tie here. "It (the partnership) really brought a lot of positive energy and enjoyment. It has brought fun back to my game," Paes, 29, told IANS in an interview. Paes and Martina -- who is a multiple Grand Slam winner -- joined hands for the first time at the U.S. Open last year and surprised everyone by winning the Australian Open mixed doubles title last month. "Her whole attitude towards the game, her demeanour and the energy around her is like that of a sweet 16-year-old," gushed Paes, adding that the partnership has helped prolong his professional career. "Last year, I had a very tough time. I felt quite jaded, because I am in this profession for 18 years and travel for 40 weeks a year. I was tired of all the travel. But playing with Martina rejuvenated my passion for the game." Paes learned other tricks of the trade from Martina, but he wouldn't tell all! "Sure, she reads the players so well. I read the doubles players fairly well also, but we are all learning and we are all growing. I am a student of the game, and that's one thing that I learned from Martina," he admitted. Paes said the triumph has forced him to readjust his goals. "I definitely I have a few more goals that I would like to achieve in my career. One of them is to be at the 2004 Athens Olympics." If he qualifies, it will be the fourth time that Paes plays at the Olympics. His first appearance was in 1992 in Barcelona, where he came close to winning the doubles bronze medal along with Ramesh Krishnan, the present Davis Cup captain. Four years later, Paes won the singles bronze at Atlanta. "I have a great Davis Cup record, but I hold the bronze medal as the pinnacle of my career," he said. Paes could draw inspiration from woman shooter Anjali Bhagwat, so far the only Indian to qualify for the 2004 Olympics. "It's great that she has qualified. And I have to make sure that I am there as well," he said. "The main task for me is to make sure that I'm injury free, that I keep my body fit and remain healthy for the games." Paes, who has had a high of the 73rd rank on the ATP circuit, owes a lot to his father Vece, a hockey Olympian and a doctor by profession. "With his vast knowledge of medicine, sports medicine, diet, rehab and training, he advises me on how best to look after my body," Paes said of his father, who has been associated with the Davis Cup team since 1991. "Now, especially as I'm getting on with age, maintenance like yoga, meditation, stretching and rehab are important, and here my father is a help." Paes said his game and training methods have evolved over the years. "As far as intensity goes, it is always 120 percent. But as far as modality goes, I have evolved many, many times. "Every six months there is a new theory, there is a new training system, there's new knowledge -- not only about the diet but also about mental training, stretching, tennis strokes, travel and lifestyle." And for good measure, he added: "For me, tennis is my lifestyle." How long does he plan to play competitively? "As long as these legs can carry me," he said with a smile, pointing out that the Davis Cup is one reason why he is continuing. "I love my game. This is my 14th year in the Davis Cup. When the tri-colour flies and national anthem is played, it makes my energy juices flow and adrenalin pump, and it gives me that patriotic feeling again." Asked if there was any plan to join hands with his estranged doubles partner Mahesh Bhupathi in the future, Paes did not entirely rule out the possibility. "I never burn any bridges. But right now we only play the Davis Cup." Paes and Bhupathi, who have won several Grand Slam doubles titles, split a couple of years ago. Although they come together for Davis Cup matches, the two play with different partners on the ATP circuit. --Indo-Asian News Service _______________________________________________ Goanet mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.goanet.org/mailman/listinfo/goanet
