‘An Olympic medal would be a great way to end my career’

•With the Olympics at hand, any preparatory tournaments you’ve decided on?

Athens is an event both Leander and I are looking forward to. Playing together is necessary, it’s just that we have not zeroed in on specific plans. One thing is for sure, the preparation would be on hard courts — no two ways about that.

•The chemistry exists as before so why a preparatory run before the Olympics and not the Davis Cup?

The two events cannot be compared. The Davis Cup is all about teams like Japan, Indonesia…where our professional experience with our respective partners is enough and not the firepower. The Olympics is where we play top pairs…many regulars on the pro circuit, which needs something more than experience.

•Who are the real Olympic contenders?

At least six to eight teams have a chance. The world over, doubles is getting more competitive, tougher…every day is different. There is hardly any difference between teams.

•What are the hopes for Athens?

One thing’s for sure: we will be seeded this time, unlike at Sydney where we were unseeded, ran into the top seeds in Round 2 and lost. A Top-8 ranking is on the cards this time.

•Expectations are high for a medal. Does this put pressure on you?

It’s a good thing that people in India believe we still have the potential to bring home a medal. Pressure makes us perform well and, like any tournament, it’s performance that matters.

•Is winning an Olympic medal the top-most priority before finally saying farewell to tennis?

Finishing with a medal would really be the icing on the cake. But if not it would still not make my career incomplete. When I began no Indian had won a Grand Slam, but now in totality we (Indians) have 13, and it’s a matter of pride.

•Last year you and Max Mirnyi had a chance of finishing on top in the ATP Doubles race, but fell short. Was it a setback?

Setback? No way! Having played just 13 tournaments compared to the 24 that toppers Bryan brothers played we were just a shadow away from the top. Nine finals and five wins is evidence enough to show we were far better. To be on top a pair needs to play the entire circuit.