Tennis Legend Leander Paes Will Bid Farewell To The Sport In 2020

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.

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.

Indian tennis legend Leander Paes has now announced that the 2020 season will be his last season 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, 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.

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Merry Christmas everyone! Here¡¯s wishing all of you and your families a fabulous year ahead filled with health, happiness and excitement. ?? ? This being said, I want to announce 2020 as my farewell year as a pro tennis player. ? ?? Firstly, I want to thank my parents for their genetics, guidance, discipline, environment they created and unconditional love they have always shown me throughout my life. I would not be who I am without your unstinting support and belief in me. I love you ??? ? I want to thank my two sisters Jacquie and Maria. They are my Rocks. Being older than me, they have brought me up to understand the ups and downs of life¡¯s journey. And have brought me up to understand how to be a gentleman as well as stand firm to our beliefs and morals that our parents have instilled in us. I love you two ? ?? ? I want to thank my daughter Aiyana, for teaching me that the most beautiful thing in the world is to have a daughter. You are my inspiration. Papa loves you ??? ? I am looking forward to the 2020 tennis calendar where I will be playing a few select tournaments, traveling with my team and celebrating with all my friends and fans around the world. It is all of you who have inspired me to become me and I want to take this year to say ¡°Thank you¡± to you. ?? ? I would love to hear your favorite ¡°Leander memories¡± over the years using #OneLastRoar tagging me and I will be sharing mine too throughout the course of the year. ?? ? 2020 is going to be an emotional one and I look forward to seeing all of you out there Roaring with me ??? ? It¡¯s been an honour being your LionHeart ???? I hope Santa is being kind to all of you. ?? God Bless,?? Leander?? #OneLastRoar

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He took to Instagram to announce his decision:

"This being said, I want to announce 2020 as my farewell year as a pro tennis player," Paes wrote. "I am looking forward to the 2020 tennis calendar where I will be playing a few select tournaments, traveling with my team and celebrating with all my friends and fans around the world.

It is all of you who have inspired me to become me and I want to take this year to say ¡°Thank you¡± to you." Paes admits it will be hard for him to keep his emotions when he steps on the court in 2020. "2020 is going to be an emotional one and I look forward to seeing all of you out there roaring with me," Paes admitted.

The Twitter was quick to react and pay respects to the legend.

Leander Paes set to retire in 2020.
"Year 2020 is going to be an emotional one and I look forward to seeing all of you out there roaring with me¡­ It's been an honour being your LionHeart," #LeanderPaes wrote under the hashtag OneLastRoar.#keralalifemagazine #OneLastRoar pic.twitter.com/k08kNhhJjy

¡ª Keralalife (@KeralalifeMag) December 26, 2019

#LeanderPaes ?... The Man Who Gave Hopes fr India in Tennis will be celebrating his farewell in 2020 ...#OneLastRoar ?? @Leander https://t.co/lKS4TC4kub

¡ª Abiram (@Abiram20548001) December 26, 2019

India's tennis legend, @Leander announces his retirement and just as he is emotional about it, so are we! The Padma Shri winner has always made India proud! Winning Wimbledon in 2015 with @mhingis was one of my favourite "Leander memories"! Good luck!#OneLastRoar #LeanderPaes pic.twitter.com/h5RC5XQ7oo

¡ª Nitish Kalia (@NitishKaliaLive) December 26, 2019

#LeanderPaes is going to retire in 2020. He has won 18 grandslam doubles titles. 8 mens double and 10 mixed doubles.

Monumental achievement...
Good ambassador for indian sports all together...

Well played #Leander #Tennishttps://t.co/rk5hHkICdZ

¡ª Nellai - ?????? (@nellaiseemai) December 25, 2019

A legend having gigantic career for our Nation on the tennis court.
A bronze medalist of Atlanta Olympic 1996 , having been played 7 Olympic titles.
A Padam Bhusan Awardee Champion also holds the record of 24 consecutive Davis Cup Wins with Bhupati Ji.#LeanderPaes @Leander

¡ª Digvijay Patel (@Digvija35137555) December 26, 2019

What a remarkable career! #LeanderPaes #OneLastRoar https://t.co/pqaYxvlkI5

¡ª Devika Chaturvedi (@devikachats) December 26, 2019

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.