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Leander Paes is a former Indian Indian Tennis player and is considered one of the best doubles tennis players in the country. He also holds the record for the most doubles wins in the Davis Cup, he has won around eight men’s doubles and ten mixed doubles Grand Slam titles. Read this blog to learn more about the life of Leander Paes and his contributions to the Indian tennis fraternity.
Table of Contents
| Leander Paes Biography | |
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Leander Adrian Paes |
| Date of Birth | June 17, 1973 |
| Birthplace | Goa, India |
| Professional Career | 1991-2020 |
| Grand Slam Doubles Titles | 8 |
| Grand Slam Mixed Doubles Titles | 10 |
| Olympic Medal | Bronze (1996, Atlanta) |
| Awards | Padma Shri (2001), Padma Bhushan (2014) |
| Olympic Appearances | 7 (1992-2016) |
Leander Paes: Early Childhood and Family
Leander Paes, the greatest Indian tennis player, was born on June 17, 1973. He was raised in Kolkata, and his parents were from Goa, His father, Mr. Vece Paes, was a famous Indian hockey player who represented India in the 1972 Olympics. His mother, Jennifer, was the captain of the Indian basketball team.
- Leander attended La Martiniere for his elementary education and St. Xavier’s College for his college education.
- He got enrolled in the Britannia Amritraj Tennis Academy in Madras.
- At the academy, he learned everything about the sports under his coach, Dave O’Meara.
- Leander, a teenage winner of the Wimbledon Junior title in 1990, briefly held the top spot in the world junior rankings.
Also read: PT Usha: Education, Records, Awards & More
Leander Paes Career Overview
| Year | Career Points |
| 1991 | Leander Paes became a professional tennis player |
| 1996 | He won the Bronze Medal at the Atlanta Olympics |
| 1998 | He won two singles titles at the Association Of Tennis Professionals |
| 1999 | Leander Paes became the world number 1 player in doubles. |
| 2003 | Leander and Martina Navratilova competed in the mixed doubles divisions at the Australian Open and Wimbledon; they emerged victorious in both events. |
| 2006 | A successful year for Leander Paes, as he won the US Open doubles with Martin Damm, the Doha Asian Games men’s doubles with Mahesh Bhupathi, and a mixed doubles event with Sania Mirza. |
| 2013 | He won men’s doubles at the US Open. |
| 2021 | In Panaji, Leander became a member of the All India Trinamool Congress while West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was present. |
Partnership with Mahesh Bhupathi
Leander Paes began a successful doubles partnership with fellow Indian Mahesh Bhupathi in 1994. Together, they dominated the ATP doubles circuit in 1997 and 1998, winning six titles in both years. Their partnership peaked in 1999 when they reached the finals of all four Grand Slam tournaments, winning the French Open and Wimbledon. However, personal differences between the two led to the dissolution of their full-time partnership, although they reunited on several occasions, notably winning the 2001 French Open.
Leander Paes Awards and Honors
| Award | Year | Awarded By |
| Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna | 1996-97 | Government Of India |
| Arjuna Award | 1990 | Government of India |
| Padma Shri | 2001 | Government of India |
| Padma Bhushan | 2014 | Government of India |
| Olympic Bronze Medal (Singles) | 1996 | International Olympic Committee (IOC) |
| World Team Tennis | 2009,2011 | World Team Tennis |
FAQs
Leander Paes has won 8 men’s doubles and 10 mixed doubles Grand Slam titles, and holds the record for most doubles wins in Davis Cup history.
Paes elevated Indian tennis globally with his Grand Slam wins and historic performances, inspiring a generation of players in doubles and mixed doubles.
Paes has explored acting, politics, and various charitable endeavors, showcasing a diverse range of interests beyond his tennis career.
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