Hero called Leander

SOMEWHERE at the back of Leander Paes8217; mind, there has always been an area of doubt. Long before the doctors found that brain lesion, L...

SOMEWHERE at the back of Leander Paes8217; mind, there has always been an area of doubt. Long before the doctors found that brain lesion, Leander, in times of introspection, must have wondered how for over a decade his five-foot-ten frame has survived in a sport dominated by giant kids who carry rocket launchers in their racket cases.

A weak serve, a weaker backhand, a small frame and a smaller support system. Despite the shortcomings, Leander today is a top doubles pro and his Davis Cup tales could give 8216;David and Goliath8217; a run for its money. So what8217;s the trick? Where8217;s the catch? A case study in tri-colour induced adrenalin, Leander has all his life defied logic, redefined himself and carried on by sheer strength of his will.

It doesn8217;t come as a surprise then that even before the doctors could come out with the biopsy reports, there was a general consensus among his army of fans that whatever be the enemy, Leander can and will put up a fight.

Since his early childhood, Kolkata-born Leander has been on an obstacle course. During his pre-teen days at the BAT Academy in Chennai he fought the demons at night by practicing his forehand in front of the mirror. Hours on court didn8217;t teach him how to deal with the trauma of his parents8217; split, but somehow he managed it on his own.

A breathtaking Davis Cup debut playing alongside Ramesh Krishnan at 16 did throw him into the spotlight but he learned the hard facts of the pro tour soon. The 8216;chip and charge8217; doubles tactics did help him to the Wimbledon junior singles title in 1990. But they didn8217;t quite work against the real men. Whenever he wore the India crest, though, these seemingly inadequate devices foxed the best in the business: Wayne Ferreira, Goran Ivanisevic, Henri Leconte, Jacob Hlasek. It also won him the bronze medal at the Atlanta Olympics, 1996.

The highs of the Davis Cup did help him get over the singles8217; lows on tour. Not for long, though, because Leander redefined himself for his survival on the circuit. With old mate Mahesh Bhupathi for company, Leander8217;s stay at the Slams increased. As titles fell in his kitty so did fame and fortune, but subsequently friction too followed. Split- patch up- split. After the breakup, Bhupathi seemed the better placed. Unlike his stranded partner, his tie up with Max Mirnyi was rewarding.

Time for Leander Part III. With tennis legend Martina Navratilova it was a symbiotic relationship. The last flicker of Martina8217;s dying light ignited the fire inside the player who worshipped her while growing up in south Kolkata. Just when the pair was gearing to grab a third Slam at the US Open next month, comes another twist in the tale.

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There are doubts whether, at 30, Leander has it in him to make a comeback. His opponents are getting younger, his body8217;s getting older, the pace getting just that much faster. But there are two words which, when whispered in his ear, are guaranteed to get him back on his feet in record time: Olympic Games. In the Greek legend from which he gets his name, Leander would swim across the sea every night to be with his woman, Hero. Our man will do that, and climb a mountain, to play for India at Athens next year. Don8217;t bet against it.

Sandeep Dwivedi

Sandeep Dwivedi is the Sports Editor at The Indian Express. He is one of India's most prominent sports journalists, known for his deep analytical insights and storytelling that often goes beyond scores and statistics to explore the human and cultural side of sports. Professional Profile Role: As the Sports Editor, he leads the sports coverage for the newspaper and the website. Weekly Column: He writes "The Sports Column," a weekly feature where he provides sharp, narrative-driven perspectives on the biggest sporting news of the week. Podcast: He is a frequent contributor to the "Express Sports" podcast (Game Time), where he discusses evolving trends in cricket and other international sports. Areas of Expertise While Dwivedi covers the entire sporting spectrum, his work is particularly noted in the following areas: Cricket: He provides extensive coverage of the Indian National Team and the IPL. He frequently analyzes the leadership styles of figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. He is known for tracking the transition phases of Indian cricket and the evolution of specific players like Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Athletics & Olympic Sports: He has written extensively on Neeraj Chopra’s rise in javelin, the nuances of Indian shooting, and tennis legends like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. Human Interest Stories: A hallmark of his writing is his focus on the struggles and backgrounds of athletes, such as the sacrifices made by Shafali Verma’s father or the "silent battles" of veteran players like Cheteshwar Pujara. Notable Recent Work & Themes Leadership and Dynamics: Recently, he has written about the dynamic between Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, arguing that personal friendship is not a prerequisite for team success. Sports & Culture: His articles often intersect with global culture, such as his deep dive into the 100-year legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their role as American soft power during the Cold War. The "Grey Areas" of Sport: He often addresses sensitive topics like the mental health of cricketers post-retirement, the "outrage industry" in sports broadcasting, and the impact of fan-wars on the game. Tenure and Experience Dwivedi has been with The Indian Express for over three decades. This experience allows him to provide historical context to modern sporting events, often comparing current crises or triumphs to those of previous generations. You can follow his latest work and columns on his official Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More