Indian tennis icon Leander Paes opened up on the need to concentrate on grassroots development in order to produce top-quality players capable of cutting it on the grandest of stages. The 51-year-old also revealed that he believes it could take a decade for the nation to produce a grand slam champion on the sidelines of the Tennis Premier League auction in Mumbai on Wednesday.
“I think it’s probably going to take another 10 years to produce a Grand Slam champion. I think that the focus needs to be on the grassroots base level and then the feeder system coming up, then you churn out the numbers,” Paes said.
“I 100% believe we have tremendous talent in India, but I believe it’s people like myself along with the governance, along with the whole sporting fraternity, to reach out to that talent in rural areas in places where maybe those children are not as fortunate as you and I, to have the parents who gave us that platform to stand on,” he continued.
“I think it’s a responsibility for us to reach out there and find that talent, test that talent and once you pick it, bring it into academies where you nurture the talent,” added Paes.
India aspires to host the 2036 edition of the Olympics and Paes urged sporting fraternity to nurture the young generation in order to be able to shine at the showpiece.
“I really feel that if India is going to be a powerhouse to showcase ourselves at the 2036 Olympics, we’ve got 12 years to do it,” said Paes, who has won 18 Grand Slam titles in doubles and mixed doubles.
“I humbly believe that people like myself and people in governance can make a big push to make India a powerhouse in sport and showcase ourselves not by just holding the Olympics, god willing we’ll get it, and we’ll have to work hard to get it, because the competition is fierce.
“But also if and when we get it, to actually win lots of medals, that’s really the victory in my opinion.”
Just a day ago, former player Somdev Devvarman had moved court against AITA over an alleged violation of the sports code. Paes did not comment on the same, however, hoped a positive outcome could be reached through dialogue.
“I think that any sort of differences can always be sorted out through dialogue and I hope that all the concerned come into dialogue and discuss their differences and sort it out,” he said.
“I’m a big believer in inclusiveness. I’m a big believer in being able to listen to someone. As much as I speak, I love to listen to see. What is it you want? What is the issue? Let’s sit down and sort our differences, and even if those differences cannot be sorted out, at least respect each other, That’s the idea.
“Always hoping for a positive outcome.”
Young Indian duo of Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Vijay Sundar Prashanth claimed the doubles title in the ATP 250 Hangzhou Open 2024 and Paes heaped praise on the players stating, “I played one of my last Davis Cup matches with Jeevan, it was his first Davis Cup match I believe, and Jeevan carried me right through that. It was awesome, his passion, his exuberance, his happiness around the tennis court is great fun, and to see Sundar and Jeevan come and win in Hangzhou was fantastic.”
“I must give a shout out to all the young athletes in tennis, because they’re spending their hard-earned money, their family money, their hard-earned savings and earnings to go and play international tournaments,” he continued.
“It’s not easy, I’ve lived in locker rooms. I’ve been mugged in New York, I’ve been through the hard yards for 40 years. So much respect for all these youngsters,” he concluded.
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