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[kban1]

Special And Precious 

Whilst I won the US Open junior singles in 1991, this was one trophy (men's doubles) that was missing from the cabinet. I came very close to it in 2001 playing mixed doubles with Lisa Raymond, but never the real thing.
 
LEANDER PAES
 
This win in the doubles event of the US Open is a testimony of the faith that millions of my fans in India have in me. Whilst I have won the US Open junior singles in 1991, this was one trophy that was missing from the cabinet. I have come very close to it in the past - in 2001 playing mixed doubles with Lisa Raymond, but never the real thing. But this time, it was special and precious - more so because I had my family with me.

The communication between Marty (Martin Damm) and me is the key to the success of this partnership. The collective experience that both of us have is invaluable. We learn from each other and that helps the partnership grow seamlessly. There's been many a time when I get hot-headed on losing a point - and Martin's cool temperament is just what you need to calm things down.

The reason I believe why Martin and I have done so well is because our partnership has gained the trust that big tournaments like the US Open require. Yes, it's a new partnership; it's not even a year old. But the glue between us is very strong. His mental toughness and strong belief that he can be a Grand Slam winner has been the clincher.

At the Australian Open, it was our lack of belief that did us in. And there is no denying that the partnership was still very young at the time. Playing in a Grand Slam is always a high motivation factor. Any athlete can only peak 4-5 times in a year. The trick here is to peak at the right time which allows you to zone right in - and this win is a culmination of all of the above.

Also, what is most important is that we really enjoy traveling with each other - there's a lot of fun, games, laughter, jokes that we share, we both love Japanese food, we love going to the movies, we enjoy the same kind of music, we are fond of fast cars, we read similar kind of books - it would be fair to say that off the courts we are just the same, but on the courts, we are the exact opposite of each other.

I have a natural leadership instinct, and Marty likes to be led. I've played with a lot of Czech partners, and of course, with the biggest of them all, Martina Navratilova. Czech athletes are extremely humble, solid, dedicated, and perseverant with no frills attached.

Martin is also a very strong family man, he has two kids - and there is constant banter between us on the joys and support system that a family provides.

This win is incomplete without a dedication to the two special women in my life, Rhea and my baby girl, Aiyana. They are the positive energy and strength that drives me to raise the bar each time. They have been with me right through the grass court season in Europe and then here in the US, and it was an absolute delight to have them with me at this special moment. This win, is dedicated to them!

Very often I am asked the question 'What ails Indian tennis?' - I really don't think anything ails tennis in India. Whilst I agree that we need better systems and more professional training facilities for our youth, I am of the strong belief that tennis and sports in general in India is better off today than when I was a junior.

Look around you -- there are more sports events happening today for men and women, more gymnasiums, more sponsors coming forward, more prize money at stake for younger players, et al.

But yes, in a country starved of true champions, we sometimes build them up too fast and too soon. In such a scenario where adulation is given very easy, to put young talent up on a pedestal after maybe just one achievement, only to cloud the many other hurdles that they need to cross to become real champions.

We need to give kudos where they are due, but we must also keep motivating them to achieve more goals, to put their heads down and continue with hard work to aim higher. I truly believe that the responsibility lies as much with us, as with the young sportsmen out on the field.

PTI
 
http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20060913&fname=Leander&sid=1