Leander Paes: I can learn so much from Rafa Nadal

For athletes who have transformed themselves into legends, learning still is a top priority. Leander Paes is an ideal example of it.

 

At 43, Paes is India's most decorated tennis player with 18 Grand Slam doubles titles, but is still hungry to learn. The Indian tennis ace unhesitatingly confesses he wants to learn by watching the Spanish legend Rafael Nadal train play.

 

India and Spain are set to lock horns in the World Group Playoffs in New Delhi, starting September 16.

 

Read more: Four times when India created an upset in the Davis Cup

 

India will field a team comprising an experienced Paes along with a new bunch of players, Saketh Myneni, Ramkumar Ramanathan and Sumit Nagal.

 

Paes' longevity is an inspiration in world tennis. The 43-year-old has said that the line-up that Spain has presented for the Davis Cup tie against India is a must watch for every single budding athlete in the country.

 

Spain has come with 14-time Grand Slam champion Nadal, world number 13 David Ferrer, the marathon man of world tennis with 26 ATP singles titles, and the French Open champion pair of Mark and Feliciano Lopez.

 

"It's a great showcase of tennis in India. If I were a 9,10, 15-year old budding athlete, I would be packing the stadium, every single day. To come and watch a 14-time Grand Slam champion is unbelievable.

 

"For me even now, at this stage of my career, where I have played 30 years, you can come out and watch what Rafa does and learn so much," Paes told PTI.

 

"You can learn about the footwork, about the power, the generation of shots, the follow through, the swing, the rituals after the practice," he elaborated.

 

"Spanish team to me is one of the most professional teams. They fight together. I can't say enough of respect I have for this team, starting with Rafa, one of the greatest. I am lucky I got a chance to play doubles with him (in Paris Masters, 2015). It's not just about how he plays tennis but the way he conducts himself. He is a great ambassador of the game," the Indian champ said showering encomiums on the Spanish great.

 

Paes who heaped praises for the 30-year-old Spaniard, himself has completed Career Slams in both men's doubles and mixed doubles and has competed in a record seven Olympics with a singles bronze.

 

The tennis star who hails from Calcutta is just one win shy of becoming the most successful doubles players in the history of Davis Cup.

 

He has suggested that India's singles players -- Saketh Myneni and Ramkumar Ramanathan -- have a great opportunity to test themselves against the best in the world.

 

Read more: Hope to give Nadal good competition in Davis Cup: Saketh Myneni

 

"You have nothing to lose. You have got us here (World Group Play-off stage), and we are proud of that. You have crossed this hurdle at the US Open and now playing greats of the game. You can watch how Ferrer moves on the baseline, how Rafa plays that forehand. Most people worry about winning or losing, but at the end of the day, you need to keep improving," Paes, tied with Italian great Nicola Pietrangeli on 42 doubles wins, said.

 

Pietrangeli also holds the most singles wins record in Davis Cup with 78 victories in 66 ties.