Leander Paes To Play With, And Coach Stepanek

Written by: Staff on 17th October 2012

Leander Paes To Play With, And Coach Stepanek

epa03082922 Leander Paes (L) of India and Radek Stepanek (R) of the Czech Republic in action against Bob and Mike Bryan in the men's doubles final match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 28 January 2012. Paes/Stepanek won the match. EPA/JOE CASTRO |

India’s Leander Paes is solidly in his double partner Radek Stepanek corner. So much so that not only has the 39-year-old committed to playing with the Czech in 2013, but also offering to help him with his singles career.

“Radek is a world class singles player,” said Paes after he Stepanek won the Shanghai Masters title together. “I personally know how I gave up my singles for doubles. I think Radek can play doubles for many years. He’s already a Grand Slam champion. He’s already in the top 10 in the world. After today, I’m trying to push him to No. 5 in the world, No. 1 in the world. Next year, yes, we’re going to focus on the Grand Slams, we’re going to focus on the Masters Series, and we’re going to focus on Radek’s singles. For me it’s important that we do things right.”

Paes — who has played with 91 different partners over his long career — says that that the 30-year-old Stepanek is one of the trustworthiest and inspiring players he’s partnered with. The Czech helped Paes win his first Australian Open title earlier this year and the two have quailed for the ATP Finals in London even though they have only played 12 tournaments together.

“It’s been a real phenomenal year,” said Paes who owns 51 career doubles titles. “ So really kind of at this stage in the game I’m playing for milestones, I’m playing for history. I’m playing to check off landmarks in my career. I have tremendous respect for Radek. The fact he comes out this week and there were two situations where he played singles and won singles and late, and I was thinking of bringing up the conversation for him to concentrate on his singles. But yet the fact he comes out and plays doubles late at night on Court No. 3 with 10 people watching in the first or second round, and today we sit at the podium in the winners’ position. I have tremendous respect for the way he puts his heart on the court for me every day. That’s one of the things that will make him one of the if not the best partner I’ve ever had.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Czech tennis news, Indian tennis news, Leander Paes, London Masters, Radek Stepanek, Shanghai Masters, Sports, Tennis News