Different strokes: Paes finds mate in idol

“What she’s achieved, it would take a normal human being three lives to achieve.’’ That’s Leander Paes on Martina N...

“What she’s achieved, it would take a normal human being three lives to achieve.’’ That’s Leander Paes on Martina Navratilova, whom he partnered yesterday as she won the only Grand Slam tennis title to elude her and became, at 46, the oldest title-winner ever.

When The Indian Express spoke to Paes today, a day after they won the mixed doubles at the Australian Open in Melbourne, he seemed still to be in some shock, in awe of his partner. ‘‘A phenomenon’’, he called Martina, ‘‘to be honest, I never dreamed of playing with her.’’

It is, indeed, an unlikely combination. Navratilova, arguably the greatest tennis player of all time, and Paes, 16 years her junior and virtually unknown outside India. They met, Paes said, at the US Open last year when he was looking for a doubles partner. She was, too, and they agreed to team up for 2003.

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‘‘With Martina it’s just not her tennis superlatives that speak. She’s a fighter to on all fronts.’’ Calling her a ‘‘pillar of will’’, he says this has much to do with her being Czech. ‘‘She knew little English when she came out of her country…Today, just look at her, she can speak English and is a celebrity where ever she goes. Overcoming language as a hurdle too is a greatness.’’

For Paes, just playing alongside his childhood idol means a lot. Doesn’t matter that Navratilova has not played competitive tennis since 1995, ‘‘her passion for the game is mind-boggling.’’ And her quality still evident: the pair didn’t drop a single set on the way to winning at Melbourne. The high point of the partnership, Leander says, is ‘‘a shared understanding of the game’’, essential for doubles players. ‘‘Martina and I share a lot of things in common — a zest for life, and more so compatibility on court. Of course both our styles are different, but then once on court each one of us knows what to do. And, well, playing the right shots is what makes winners, and here you are.’’ That they bonded well was apparent after the final point was won and the pair hugged. Then Paes bowed deep and low in mock-veneration, only for Martina to playfully cuff his head. The entire episode, all of 60 seconds or so, showed the relaxed, informal relationship that the pair have obviously built up.

Paes preferred to remain silent, though, on what they actually said to each when they won. ‘‘I wouldn’t want to go public on that.’’ The title — Paes’s fifth Grand Slam and first mixed doubles — will mean a lot to the Kolkata boy, too, coming as it does after splitting up with longtime partner Mahesh Bhupathi.

‘‘Each title has a special place. There is no difference. The same goes with the various partners one associates with,” he asserts. So how did they celebrate? ‘‘We did have our own quiet party, but then each one of us know that it’s a tough life ahead.’’ Maybe, but it helps when you’re having fun.