Tennis legend Leander Paes believes it may take another decade for India to produce a Grand Slam champion. Speaking at the Tennis Premier League (TPL) auction, Paes highlighted the need for a grassroots transformation in Indian tennis. He stressed the importance of nurturing young talent through a structured system that can identify and develop future champions.
“I think it’s going to take 10 years to produce a Grand Slam champion. The focus needs to be at the grassroots, with a feeder system that churns out talent,” Paes remarked.
India’s wait for a singles champion continues
While India has seen Grand Slam successes in doubles through stars like Mahesh Bhupathi, Sania Mirza, and Paes himself, the country is still waiting for a singles champion. The last Indian doubles Grand Slam winner was Rohan Bopanna, who secured the men’s doubles title with Matthew Ebden at the Australian Open in 2024.
Untapped potential in rural India
Paes, a recent inductee into the Tennis Hall of Fame, sees great potential in India’s rural areas. He urged the sporting community and former athletes like himself to actively scout for talent in underserved regions. “We have tremendous talent in India, but it’s our responsibility to reach out to rural areas, find that talent, test it, and nurture it in academies,” Paes said.
India’s sporting ambitions by 2036 Olympics
Paes also shared his vision for India to become a sporting powerhouse, especially with the nation aiming to host the 2036 Olympics. He emphasised the importance of governance and the role former athletes could play in this ambition.
“We have 12 years to make India a sporting powerhouse by the 2036 Olympics. It’s not just about hosting the Games, but also winning medals and that’s the real victory,” Paes highlighted.
Tennis governance and AITA elections controversy
Commenting on the All India Tennis Association (AITA) elections, Paes advocated for peaceful dialogue amidst the controversy surrounding alleged violations of the Sports Code. While he refrained from discussing the legal issues, he called for mutual respect. “Any differences can be resolved through dialogue. Even if disagreements remain, there should be mutual respect,” Paes noted.
Praise for Indian tennis duo
Paes also praised the recent success of Indian tennis duo Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Vijay Sundar Prashanth, who clinched the doubles title at the ATP 250 Hangzhou Open 2024.
“Jeevan’s passion and exuberance on the court are fantastic. Seeing him and Sundar win in Hangzhou was great. A huge shoutout to all the young tennis players making sacrifices to compete internationally,” he added, reflecting on his own journey.
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