Great team, great win

Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi have had many other triumphs on the international tennis circuit but this was the big trophy, the coming of age of Indian tennis. If dancing fans were missing in Paris, there will be plenty waiting to welcome the pair when they come home. And, since nothing works like success, a whole new generation of tennis players will be inspired by the pair.

One mightalso say, the victory was beautifully timed for the gap between what has gone before and what is to come in the other game. So that cup held aloft by one Indian team in Paris will work like a shot of adrenaline for another Indian team at Old Trafford. Well done, on all these counts.

Being world class does not come easy. As always, Paes and Bhupathi cannot emphasise enough the hard work that goes into their game. After the training and the acquisition of skills, there is the hard work, a plain old-fashioned thing, but indispensable in tennis as in any other game. That and keeping their nerve. Although these two top-seeded players were never seriously tested, or not for long, at Roland Garros, there were several moments when they came under pressure. They kept their heads.

There have been setbacks among the victories during the last four years. To come so close to the prize at the Barcelona Olympics for example or the Australian Open and then find it elude you, is very hard to take. Each time they have keptat it. And through it all to show so much grace on court is remarkable. Getting the relationship right between them was not the least of the difficulties Paes and Bhupathi have had to overcome. Their supporters did not help make things easier in this department. In the end, it takes strength of character to leave their differences off court and focus on winning the game. In the end, as one of them said, it was their belief in each other that made the day.

So as India celebrates this all-Indian doubles victory, there is much to be proud about, not only the superb way the game is played but the personal qualities of the two young men. May they go from strength to strength. When you have climbed one mountain there is always another ahead. That8217;s the way it is. No resting on one8217;s laurels, no peace for the brave. Now the biggest prize of all beckons. As Paes and Bhupathi prepare for Wimbledon, they can be sure many millions will be rooting for them at home, not necessarily with warpaint and tooters but rootingall the same.