Leander Paes To Play In Bangalore Open, His Last Piece Of Action On Home Soil

He might be 46 years old now, but if you step on the court with him, he will ooze class and beat you hands down. An Olympic bronze medal, 18 Grand Slam titles in doubles and mixed doubles,?and multiple other career titles, Leander Paes has had a remarkable career.? ?

AP

Humble and full of humility, Paes has been a customary self of great grace throughout his almost three decade career. It?has had its fair share of glory and agony, although there have been more triumphs than heartbreaks.? ?

In December, Indian tennis legend?Leander Paes has now announced that the 2020 season?will be his last on the Tour. Paes, who turned professional in 1991, is set to retire after almost three decades of playing tennis at the highest level.??

Paes has now confirmed that he will play the Bangalore Open, which will see him in action on the home soil for the last time. It is going to be very emotional and it will be the last chance for fans to see the charismatic Paes displaying his legendary skills in his home country.

PTI

"Playing at home in front of my fellow Indians has always been a source of immense pleasure and motivation for me. Bangalore has always had a crowd that understands tennis and the vibe of the stadium and the energy of the city really invigorate me," said Paes, who is currently playing at the TATA Maharashtra ATP Tour event in Pune.??

Paes, a former doubles world No. 1, has won eight Grand Slam titles in doubles and 10 more in mixed doubles?throughout his career. Also, the Indian owns a prestigious Career Grand Slam in doubles and mixed doubles, having won at least one men's doubles and mixed doubles title at each Grand Slam.?

Reuters

A career that spans back to his debut in the early 1990s, Paes has had one of the longest careers for any professional tennis player. Everywhere he has gone to play, he has been hugely successful.?

A career that has known greatness and served as a true ambassador for Tennis and India alike, it is going to be an emotional and historic moment when Paes calls it time. For now, we enjoy the exemplary man he is.