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Paes admits to a mental block in winning a Grand Slam

Pankaj Doval in New Delhi

Indian tennis star Leander Paes, with Mahesh Bhupathi by his side, today spelt out the formula needed to make them finish the year as the number one doubles team in the world.

"We need to forget about our losses and work as a team, with a more aggressive, positive and clear approach," the Indian number one said.

Paes and Bhupathi were in Delhi to attend a tennis camp where a few lucky children saw their dream of playing with their idols come true.

The duo, currently ranked second in the world, is yet to win a Grand Slam. They came close to achieving the feat last month, but fell at the final hurdle in the Australian Open.

"The only thing left for us to win a Grand Slam is to overcome a mental barrier," Paes said, and hoped they would do it this year.

The Indian pair, back from a 2-3 loss in the Davis Cup against South Korea last week in Seogwipo City, said the Koreans scored over them in "physical fitness".

"Of late, I have been plagued by injuries. In September last year, I suffered from a bone spur in the left heel. Beginning of this year I picked up a bronchial virus and in Australia I had stomach problems and shoulder problems," the world number 81 said.

"What we have to learn now is to be more positive towards our physical fitness," he said.

The duo sounded confident about their plans for this year. "In comparison to last year, we got to give it everything this year. We have also changed our schedules, hoping not to suffer an injury before big tournaments," they said.

The two, who had a two-hour net session with the children, said they enjoyed the clinic.

"Things cannot change in a day. But we have to take a positive approach and groom the younger lot to be more positive and confident," they said.

"What we can provide them is an overall attitude about the game, besides encouraging and motivating them," Bhupathi said.

Paes said the country has a lot of potential. "What is required now is to catch them young,'' he said.

"Conditions today are far more healthy than they were when I started in 1991. It was much tougher at that time since I had to travel a lot, going abroad at my own expense to play tournaments and earn ATP points," Paes said. "But today boys can play satellites, challengers and other tournaments in the country itself."

He admitted that age is fast catching up with him, though he remains eager to give of his best for the country. "The loss to South Korea hurt me. But we have lots to do with the Chinese coming here in April and the Gold Flake Open in Madras," Paes said.

After he ends his professional career, Paes plans to start a tennis academy.

Speaking about Bhupathi, Paes said the key to his success as a singles player lies in his physical strength. He felt Bhupathi has all the qualities needed for a good singles player. "He has a big serve, big return and is physically also a big player, but his game requires a lot of hard work," he said.

Bhupathi, who only this month lost to Paes in the final of the Challenger in Calcutta, showed his lack of self-confidence when he said after the match that he did not quite believe he could beat Paes.

That was the second time in two years he had lost to his doubles partner.

"I would love it if one day Bhupathi beats me. But though he has enormous talent and power, he has to find the right attitude," Paes said.

"I have made efforts to make him realise he can do well in singles as well," he said.

Paes said Bhupathi has to work hard to take his fitness to a level where he can compete for five sets without giving up.

"Sometimes he tends to put all his energy in taking the first set, with his opponent knowing well that he can overtake him in the subsequent sets," Paes said. This was exactly what happened in his loss to South Korea's Yoon Yong Il in the Davis Cup. After winning a hard-fought first set via the tie-breaker, Bhupathi faded away, losing the next three sets 6-1, 6-1, 6-1.

UNI