Paes aiming to win Olympic medal in doubles
February 3rd, 2012 - 8:35 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, Feb 3 (IANS) India’s veteran tennis player Leander Paes, a singles bronze medallist in Atlanta, has set his sights on winning his second Olympic medal in the doubles event at the 2012 London Games.
“My next aim is an Olympic medal in doubles. It would be the epitome of my career. I want to win the medal for my flag and my people,” said the 38-year-old after returning home from Melbourne.
Paes became the first Indian to complete a career Grand Slam by winning the Australian Open men’s doubles title last week. Paes is also the only Indian to win an Olympic medal in tennis.
Paes said his decision to split with his compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi last year was finally proved right at the Australian Open.
“Mahesh and I split because we both needed younger legs to play with with. I hadn’t won a single Grand Slam last year, and I was desperate to win one. It wasn’t happening with Mahesh,” he added.
Paes partnered 33-year-old Czech Radek Stepanek to win the Australian Open men’s doubles.
Paes, who lost the Australian Open mixed doubles final with Russian partner Elena Vesnina, said it was his dream to win a career Grand Slam in mixed doubles.
“I also want to complete a career Grand Slam in mixed doubles,” he said.
- Maken hopes Paes would win another Olympic medal - Jan 30, 2012
- Paes-Stepanek shock Bryan brothers; lift Australian Open men's doubles title (Lead) - Jan 28, 2012
- Paes-Stepanek storm into final of Australian Open - Jan 26, 2012
- Paes brings cheer on a day cricketers cave in - Jan 28, 2012
- Bopanna drops out of top-10 doubles ranking - Nov 28, 2011
- Paes thanks Stepanek for helping him win Australian Open - Jan 28, 2012
- Paes-Vesnina go down fighting in Australian Open final (Lead) - Jan 29, 2012
- Sania-Bhupathi crash out of Australian Open - Jan 27, 2012
- It's for AITA to decide Olympics line-up: Bhupathi - Feb 09, 2012
- India pin hopes on doubles at Australian Open - Jan 15, 2012
- Australian Open: Paes-Stepanek, Sania-Bhupathi in semis (Roundup) - Jan 25, 2012
- Sania-Vesnina knocked out, Paes-Stepanek through to semi-finals - Jan 25, 2012
- It was Paes's decision to split, reveals Bhupathi - Nov 30, 2011
- Australian Open: Sania-Vesnina surprise Raymond-Huber to enter semis - Jan 24, 2012
- We'll win a Grand Slam doubles title some day: Vesnina - Jun 04, 2011
Tags: aim, australian open, australian open mixed doubles, bronze medallist, career grand slam, compatriot, elena vesnina, epitome, hadn, leander paes, london games, mahesh bhupathi, melbourne, New Delhi, olympic medal, open men, radek stepanek, returning home, tennis player, veteran