It's not far when 'Next Gen' will carry mantle from us: Paes

Indian tennis icon Leander Paes today said it's been a phenomenal year for the sport in India this season and it's a matter of time that the next generation will take over the mantle from them.
"It's been a phenomenal year for Indian tennis. For myself and Sania (Mirza) as well. She's no 1 in the world and the first Indian and Asian woman to do that. I think that is paving the way for other Indian girls to go and see if Sania can go out there and conquer the world through her hard work and belief so that others can do that as well. She gives them belief.

"It goes back to what Mahesh (Bhupathi) and I did it in the 90s. When we got into four Grand Slam finals and won two. We paved the way for youngsters to believe that they can be number one as well."
He also lavished praise on Rohan Bopanna for getting to final of season-ending ATP world Tour to return to top 10 in rankings.
"It's his second final. Seniors on tour have done a great job. We don't have that much of void in between. We're not that far off until we have few others who can come off and carry the mantle as well," Paes said on the sidelines of Tennis Masters Kolkata leg.

It was an emotional return for Paes to his home city and in a humble manner he said with dedication and perseverance one can achieve anything.

"With a lot of hardwork and belief you can achieve anything. Growing up in Kolkata and learning my tennis in South Club and finding my way through the school here in La Martiniere, I never ever dreamt that I will be sitting back here with 17 Grand Slam titles, an Olympic medal and playing with these great guys.
"It's been a long 36 years journey. It's very humbling to come back and see the passion that Kolkata has for tennis. If you see the other players who are coming up, there's no reason why young girl and boy cannot do it. No matter what their dream are to be.

Paes had lost to the American legend in the semis but won
the bronze medal play-off against Fernando Meligeni to be the first Indian since 1952 to win an individual Olympic medal.
"Every single day, I played with a purpose and things fell into place."
Paes also showed his human side by spending a lot of time with Meligeni.
"I grew up a lot that day. I knew I was mentally tough, and that day was not about tennis, it was about the mind and the body. The first thing I did after winning was to run and give Fernando the longest possible hug as it was his dream that had been shattered.

"He was from Brazil, I was from India and we had few chances to win Olympic medals then. I knew the burden he would live with for the rest of his life. I spent a lot of time with him and his team."
Paes said he further realised the magnitude of his achievement with the reactions of fellow athletes and fans.
"It took me around three days to get the medal off my neck. I shared it with the rest of the Indian contingent and was amazed at the euphoria a single medal can bring to an entire apartment block. Almost everyone came to congratulate me, and the biggest hugs came from my friends in the Indian hockey team."

He has also shared the pain of missing out on a medal in 2008 Beijing Games, where the great Roger Federer won his first Olympic medal.