Age no bar for Paes’ eighth Olympic bid
INDIAN tennis icon Leander Paes last Friday (11) said he is preparing hard to participate in next year’s Tokyo Games to make it a record eighth straight Olympic appearance.
On Christmas Day of 2019, Paes had announced his ‘’One Last Roar’’ tagline, calling 2020 to be his last season as a professional player, culminating with the Tokyo Olympics. “None of us then imagined we would get hit by such a big pandemic. It has made all of us introspect,” Paes said.
“But after this long break, I feel happy. I’ve no doubt in my mind that physically, mentally and emotionally I would be ready. For me it’s very important to ensure that India’s name stays in the history books and that is why I’ve continued my career for 30 years.”
Paes wil be 48 by the time Tokyo Olympics, slated to begin on July 23, happens but he said age is just a number and he has the big motivation to ensure that India’s name stays forever in the record books.
“I already have the record at seven and I’ve the motivation that if I can push that up to eight Olympics, my belief is that India forever will stay in the history books as the most number of Olympics played in tennis. I’m hoping Tokyo comes around, the event happens.”
Paes, who won India its first and only Olympic medal in tennis at 1996 Atlanta Olympics, said he’s working hard to win another medal.
“I’m working very hard. It’s not just about participation. You guys have known me, if I’m going to the Olympics, I’m going for winning and not just for putting up the numbers,” he said.
“The tennis ball does not know the age of a human being hitting the ball. It understands power, spin.”