Paes can still barge into world’s top-50 — Vijay Amritraj

There was concern when he voiced the need to focus on junior tennis. Vijay felt that very little had been done to improve the state of junior tennis, very little invested for the juniors in the country.

Vijay was at his diplomatic best when asked for his opinion on equal prize money for women and men players. “I was asked the same question by Billie Jean King. I told her that the women now have the right to ask for a greater share of the prize money today. But I’m not sure whether they should compare it with men’s tennis.”.

“This kind of comparison is like comparing players of yesteryears to the present generation,” Vijay added. Very often the Leander Paes – Mahesh Bhupathi pair has been compared to the Amritraj brothers (Vijay and Anand) at their peak. “This comparison is unfair. The game has changed considerably. Leander and Mahesh have earned a name for themselves. Reaching four Grand Slam finals is a unique achievement.”

Vijay never took up a coaching assignment nor was he part of the Indian teams as a non-playing captain. There were many accusing fingers pointed at his contribution to Indian tennis. Vijay had a crisp, ready answer for this: “My contribution towards Indian tennis was many years I played for the nation. Then, though a small drop in the ocean, I was involved in the BAT scheme. It was a pioneering effort and we thought then that many more such schemes would be implemented. Now after 12 years it remains the only one of its kind in the whole of Asia. I have always believed that only a person who is closely in touch with the present day players should be a non-playing captain. I may not fit in.”

There was a dash of concern when Vijay rounded off the talk emphasising on the need to develop a passion for the game. Both the players and coaches should aim for the sky. Only then would they hit the roof. “Give the kids all facilities. Sports must be a priority. Preparations for important events should begin well in advance. When nations are getting ready for the 2008 Olympics we have not even decided on our teams for the 2000 Games. Have we?”