Olympics 2024: Leander Paes Optimistic About India's Tennis Prospects in Paris

Add as a preferred source on Google

Leander Paes, India's tennis legend, has expressed his pride and optimism for the country's tennis prospects at the upcoming Olympics in Paris. With three Indians qualifying for the tennis event, Paes believes that this could be India's chance to shine on the global stage.

"I am really proud of all our athletes, especially those in tennis. But for all our athletes, I'm proud of their perseverance and hard work, aiming to make themselves, their families, and India proud," Paes said (via TOI). Paris Olympics Special Page

The Challenge of Winning an Olympic Medal

Paes, who won a bronze medal in men's singles at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level. "Winning an Olympic medal is not easy, especially in sports like tennis, where the competition is incredibly fierce. Just consider the Grand Slams; the competition from around the globe is astounding. Tennis is a truly global sport."

Rohan Bopanna, who has represented India twice at the Olympics, will be hoping to win a doubles medal alongside Sriram Balaji in what is likely to be his final Olympics. Sumit Nagal, who made it to the second round of the Australian Open this year and broke into the top 100, will be looking to make a mark in the singles event.

The Path to Olympic Success

Paes believes that winning an Olympic medal requires years of practice and dedication. "In my view, stepping onto the Olympic podium requires years and years of practice-10,000 hours, 3 million perfect repetitions of each shot, and a decade to develop disciplined muscle memory. It then takes another decade of competition, managing pressure, and performing at crucial moments. So, it takes at least two decades to nurture an Olympic champion."

Bopanna's win at the Australian Open with Matthew Ebden, where he won his maiden Grand Slam doubles title, has given Paes hope for India's chances.

"I hope so. No one gave me a chance when I arrived in Atlanta in 1996. No one expected me to win a medal, but then I came out and won one. Indian tennis has a lot of athletes playing the game, especially in doubles. I believe that with more knowledge and perseverance, we can develop our singles players significantly."

Sumit Nagal has had a breakout season in 2024, qualifying for the main draw of the Australian Open and winning an upset victory over higher-ranked Alexander Bublik. Sumit has a good chance to make a mark in Roland Garros, especially since clay is the surface for the tournament.

The Need for Support and Training

Paes is confident that with the right support and training, Indian tennis players can excel on the global stage. "I think India can improve in these areas. Tennis is such a challenging sport, both physically and financially. Travelling around the world year after year, week after week, requires substantial support. I think India can improve in these areas."

Paes also emphasized the importance of nurturing young talent in India. "We need to identify and support young players who have the potential to make it big. We need to provide them with the right training, coaching, and support to help them succeed."