Leander now targets London Olympics, more Grand Slams
February 16th, 2010 - 12:03 am ICT by IANS
Kolkata, Feb 15 (IANS) After his mixed doubles triumph at the Australian Open, Leander Paes is now aiming to win a gold in the 2012 London Olympics and more Grand Slam tournaments.
“I would like to win more Grand Slam titles and at least one more Olympic medal,” Paes told media persons Monday at a felicitation function organised by the Bengal Tennis Association (BTA).
Paes said beating Russians in the upcoming Davis Cup away tie was not impossible.
He lauded the young talents in the country, including Yuki Bhambri and Somdev Devvarman. “They are indeed fantastic,” said the 36-year-old Paes, one of the most successful Indian sportspersons of all times.
Only last month, Paes levelled Mahesh Bhupathi’s record of 11 Grand Slam titles by partnering Clara Black to the Australian Open mixed doubles triumph.
Paes said he was in conversation with the BTA to organise tournaments in the city. “I am also in the process of launching sports science academies across India and would like to have the first one here.”
Earlier, talking to BTA academy trainees, India’s Davis Cup hero said they should play the game with passion and work hard.
- Mahesh Bhupathi opts out of Davis Cup tie - Mar 06, 2012
- It's for AITA to decide Olympics line-up: Bhupathi - Feb 09, 2012
- Paes' Olympic partner hangs fire - Jan 01, 2012
- India pin hopes on doubles at Australian Open - Jan 15, 2012
- Somdev gets direct entry in Chennai Open - Nov 25, 2010
- Paes planning to dabble in Hindi films - Feb 01, 2010
- Paes aiming to win Olympic medal in doubles - Feb 03, 2012
- Four Indians for Junior Australian Open - Jan 20, 2012
- Paes brings cheer on a day cricketers cave in - Jan 28, 2012
- 22 athletes get Rs.6.85 crore to train for London Olympics - Sep 13, 2011
- Great comeback, but team needs younger players: Akhtar Ali - Sep 19, 2010
- An exciting period for Indian tennis: Krishnan - Sep 21, 2009
- Bopanna drops out of top-10 doubles ranking - Nov 28, 2011
- Paes-Stepanek shock Bryan brothers; lift Australian Open men's doubles title (Lead) - Jan 28, 2012
- Bhupathi slams AITA over its pairing policies - Jan 19, 2012
Tags: 2012 london olympics, australian open, australian open mixed doubles, bengal, bta, davis cup, grand slam titles, grand slam tournaments, grand slams, leander paes, mahesh bhupathi, media persons, olympic medal, russians, s davis, science academies, sports science, tennis association, trainees, yuki bhambri