Not going to play past 2020: Paes
NEW DELHI: Veteran Indian tennis player Leander Paes on Monday hinted at a possible retirement, saying he has lived his career and doesn’t see himself playing past another year.
Paes was named in India’s Davis Cup squad for the Pakistan tie in Nur-Sultan (Kazakhstan). The 46-yearold went on to better his own record by achieving his 44th Davis Cup doubles win, this time partnering debutant Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan, as India routed Pakistan 4-0.
“My experience carries me through now but in the longer run, what’s best for the team is that I should not be playing past another year,” Paes told reporters. “I am not going to play much longer, I have had a great 30year stint in the Davis Cup. I have lived my career playing for the country.”
However, Paes said he will always be there to represent his country, if need be. The Atlanta Olympics bronze medallist added nurturing a young team should be the main objective for Indian tennis right now. “At 46, I should have been moved out by the next generation coming up. So objectively, to nurture a younger team is what’s important,” he said.
Talking about the Pakistan tie, Paes said he volunteered to play because he didn’t want India to be relegated in the Davis Cup.
“I wanted to make sure India as a team didn’t forfeit the tie with the players not going to Islamabad. Then, for the next three to four years we would be relegated to a zonal group and would have to fight our way up,” he said. “None of us have put 30 years to see that happen. The last time that happened was in 1974 when India was to play South Africa.”