The previous few years have been low-key for Indian tennis and Leander Paes, one of many icons of the sport, believes that it could take one other seven to eight years to supply a Grand Slam champion from the nation.
“I believe after the retirement of our Grand Slam champions in India, now we have seen a little bit of a lull. [But] the variety of youngsters enjoying has grown loads.
I believe a Tennis Premier League is a front-runner in encouraging that … However sure, I believe it is going to take a superb seven to eight years to construct champions once more within the Grand Slam stage and on the prime stage,” Paes mentioned on the sidelines of launching his new Tennis Premier League (TPL) workforce – the Bengal Wizards – on Monday.
Co-owning the workforce with Yatin Gupte, Paes revealed that when the fifth version of the TPL will get underway in December, a number of Grand Slam winners could be seen in motion.
“This 12 months, we need to have the match in Pune and Mumbai. We’re additionally in dialog with a number of individuals about increasing the match to different cities and in addition internationally,” he mentioned.
A detailed eye on Roland Garros
Paes can also be intently following the French Open and is anticipating a semifinal between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz.
“It’s going to be attention-grabbing within the semifinals as a result of that’s the way in which the draw has come. If Djokovic, who’s my favorite, and Alcaraz can each win their matches and get to play one another within the semifinals, will probably be an enormous recreation to observe,” Paes mentioned.
Within the ladies’s class, he has his cash on Iga Świątek.
“Particularly on the clay she is formidable. Her energy and athleticism is unbelievable. She will be able to deal with slippery surfaces with all of the sliding and transferring and that makes her the front-runner for the title…”
Among the many Indians, Rohan Bopanna will workforce up along with his Australian companion Matthew Ebden within the doubles.
“Rohan is a very good participant and he is also enjoying with an incredible participant, Matthew, who’s one among my favorite companions I had. He’s additionally a Wimbledon champion So, Rohan may be very fortunate to have such a really skilled companion with him to get by means of powerful moments,” he mentioned.
Having made his Grand Slam debut in 2006, Rohan received the 2017 French Open after clinching the blended doubles crown with Canadian companion Gabriela Dabrowski. “Rohan’s expertise and skill to hit a tennis ball has been spectacular, however to take that have of Ebden enhances it and it’s an incredible alternative for all…” Paes mentioned.