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‘We now have not had a quarter-finalist in a Grand Slam of the singles since Ramesh Krishnan.’
IMAGE: Leander Paes mentioned the general progress of tennis in India had proven enchancment however it might take time for the nation to supply a singles champion. {Photograph}: Toby Melville/Reuters
Tennis legends Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi are usually not in favour of extra Indians selecting doubles over singles, saying the best accolades within the sport go to particular person performers.
“No, why would we try this?” Bhupathi mentioned when requested if Indians ought to focus extra on doubles.
“We now have not had a quarter-finalist in a Grand Slam of the singles since Ramesh Krishnan (in mid-Eighties). I believe that’s the place we must always focus,” he mentioned, including, “The bar has been set very excessive by us (in doubles). If you will try to beat that, it’s going to take just a few many years.”
“You’ve got to have a look at all completely different disciplines by itself, whether or not it’s singles or doubles or blended doubles — it’s all part of tennis. (However) focussing on singles is the way in which to go as a result of that’s the place the best accolades are,” added Paes on the sidelines of an US Polo Affiliation occasion in Mumbai on Friday.
Paes highlighted the rise of this yr’s Wimbledon champion, Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz — who additionally grew to become World No. 1 in a fast ascend on the age of 20 — whilst Indian gamers are pressured to cope with fundamental points.
“Whenever you take a look at getting ready children for that (singles), it is extremely exhausting. You take a look at the Alcarazs of the world — he’s 20-years-old proper now and he’s already the No. 1. Our youngsters at 18-19 are nonetheless attempting to return out of the juniors (degree) to resolve whether or not they’ll go to school or going professional — it’s a completely different world,” the tennis legend with a complete of 18 Grand Slam titles in males’s doubles and blended doubles mentioned.
Paes mentioned the nation should be sensible with its aspirations.
“That’s the place realism has to return in to see the extent of assist, the extent of encouragement, the extent of coaching and the extent of {dollars} that’s invested in to nurture expertise. It’s all relative,” he mentioned.
Bhupathi mentioned it’s incorrect to imagine that it’s going to be a troublesome time forward for India’s singles gamers.
“It’s subjective,” he mentioned. “Until two years in the past, Carlos Alcaraz was… final yr he received a championship at the start of the yr and this yr he’s No. 1 on this planet. So, I don’t suppose it’s a honest assertion to make,” mentioned Bhupathi when requested if any Indian participant will have the ability to play singles on the highest degree.
“Anyone can come out of anyplace. There are a few 14-15 yr outdated (Indians) who’re making waves on this planet,” he mentioned.
Paes mentioned the general progress of tennis in India had proven enchancment however it might take time for the nation to supply a singles champion.
“The game as a complete has grown a lot in India and also you see badminton and taking pictures doing so nicely, even javelin — a sport that India shouldn’t be actually recognized for — doing so nicely. Therefore all the opposite sports activities are selecting up so nicely,” he mentioned.
“The Tokyo Olympics was a transparent showcase that seven medals in a single Olympics is the very best we now have ever accomplished. Coming again to tennis, individuals received so used to us successful Grand Slams — 30 Grand Slams amongst us right here — I believe it can take just a little little bit of time earlier than we produce a singles champion. However on the identical time, we now have received to be very sensible as nicely,” Paes added.
Nevertheless, Bhupathi mentioned there was no prepared answer to resolve the issue.
“If we had an answer we might have already accomplished it, no? I imply, we’re tennis gamers, not tennis creators,” he mentioned.
On his half, Paes, named the model ambassador of the clothes model together with Bhupathi, mentioned, tapping expertise in rural areas could be essential.
“Whenever you take a look at Indian sports activities, there are fairly just a few people who find themselves doing it brilliantly. Neeraj Chopra is coaching in Scandinavia and has received an excellent javelin coach — honing his expertise there and bringing it right here,” Paes mentioned.
“You take a look at our cricketers, skilled right here and enjoying in so many occasions. And, that’s the reason cricket is churning (out) so many athletes. Right this moment, you may have nearly 3-4 nationwide cricket groups? It’s unbelievable. You will have the Beneath-19 staff as world champions. You will have India A and B, I’m positive you may have C and D,” he mentioned.
“It’s only a matter of perseverance, popping out each day and creating alternatives for the children to excel.
“I personally consider loads of our expertise is untapped in sport as a result of they’re in rural areas — they don’t get an opportunity to return to Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad or Bangalore the place the academies are. They’re nonetheless out in areas the place they’re nonetheless enjoying gully cricket or gully soccer,” he added.
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