Leander Paes eyeing ‘unbreakable record’ at the Tokyo Olympics

Indian Tennis player, Leander Paes is preparing hard to participate in next year’s Tokyo Games as on Friday he said that he wants to make a record with an eighth straight Olympic appearance.

Last year on December 25, 2019, Paes had announced his ‘One Last Roar’ tagline, calling 2020 to be his last season as a professional player, culminating with the Tokyo Olympics.

He said at the launch of ‘Motovolt Mobility Smart E-Cycles, “None of us then imagined that we would get hit by such a big pandemic. It has made all of us introspect. But after this long break, I feel happy. I’ve no doubt in my mind that physically, mentally, and emotionally I would be ready.”

“For me, it’s very important to ensure that India’s name stays in the history books and that is why I’ve continued my career for 30 years.”

Tokyo Olympics is slated to begin on July 23, and he said age is just a number and he has the big motivation to ensure that India’s name stays forever in the record books.

“I already have the record at seven and I have the motivation that if I can push that up to eight Olympics, my belief is that India forever will stay in the history books as the most number of Olympics played in tennis. I’m hoping Tokyo comes around, the event happens.”

Paes, who had won India its first and only Olympic medal in tennis at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, an individual bronze. The winner of 18 Grand Slams also said he’s eyeing on another milestone of making it a century of Grand Slam appearances in the main draw.

Paes already has a Davis Cup record of most doubles victories at 45 which he had achieved at Zagreb on March 7 this year. Partnering Bopanna, Paes beat Croatia’s Mate Pavic and Franko Skugor 6-3 6-7 (9) 7-5 in the Davis Cup Qualifiers.

Further, Paes added: “I didn’t rest until I got all the world records — in Davis Cup, the Olympics and now embarking on finishing playing my 100 Grand Slams”.