From winning the junior Wimbledon single’s title in 1990 to becoming the oldest man to win a Roland Garros men’s doubles match in the Open Era in 2019, Leander Paes has almost 30 years of tennis under his belt. And his career has been nothing short of amazing.
According to The Times of India, he was the first Indian tennis player to bag an Olympic medal (a bronze at the 1996 Atlanta Games). The 46-year-old is also an 18 Time Grand Slam Doubles Champion (8 in men’s and 10 in mixed) and a recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award, Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.
There's snow better feeling than playing for the country 🇮🇳 @DavisCup @ITF_Tennis pic.twitter.com/glGJTeEiU1
— Leander Paes OLY (@Leander) November 27, 2019
Yesterday, the tennis pro took to Twitter to announce his retirement. The Economic Times quoted him saying,
“I am looking forward to the 2020 tennis calendar where I will be playing a few select tournaments, travelling with my team and celebrating with all my friends and fans around the world. It is all of you who have inspired me to become me and I want to take this year to say “Thank You” to you…2020 is going to be an emotional one and I look forward to seeing all of you out there rolling with me. It has been an honour being your lionheart.”
A tournament that I've always had fun and success at. It was great to be at the launch event of @AustralianOpen earlier this week in Mumbai. Can't wait to be back in Melbourne 🏆🥎 pic.twitter.com/ZsGMkk6mFo
— Leander Paes OLY (@Leander) October 18, 2019
Here is his full statement.
After hearing the news sports fans began sharing their favourite memories of his game and wishing him good luck. Take a look.
#OneLastRoar Getting the chance to meet you at Wimbledon 2019 pic.twitter.com/vxVeIPtygk
— Shikharr Chandra (@ShikharrC) December 25, 2019
One hopes you reconsider your decision sir. My earliest memory of you was as a 7 year old watching you take om Agassi at Atlanta. That's how Olympics was introduced to me. In the next quarter century, while I grew up, you still look just the same.
— Nachiketa Guha | भारत माता की जय (@BrandNachiketa) December 25, 2019
Atlanta 96. Bronze medal. I was a 9-year-old aspiring tennis player in India. To have a sporting role model in a country that places so much focus on academics was invaluable. #OneLastRoar
— Bibhash Dash (@bibhashdash) December 25, 2019
The way Leander & Mahesh chestbumped each other after winning points, was not just for the game, set or match but was symbolic to represent us as a nation. We had arrived & with a bang. Reaching all 4 Grand Slam Finals in 1999, winning two of them. Stuff of legends.#OneLastRoar
— Pankaj (@pankajcgupta) December 25, 2019
As a 11 year old boy watched you & Mahesh Bhupathi in action at the 2001 Dubai Tennis Open, electrifying atmosphere and you guys won the 3rd set tiebreaker. Will remember it forever!
— Varun Venkatesh (@varunv13) December 25, 2019
Thank you for all the memories Sir. We will certainly miss you on the courts. We hope you consider participating in the 2020 Rogers cup. I am sure a lot of your fans here would like to see you one final time. #OneLastRoar
— Kiran Surisetti (@kiran_surisetti) December 25, 2019
@Leander– Those incredible wins with the Martinas- Navratilova & Hingis in Grand Slam Mixed Doubles titles & of course the path breaking Grand Slam Doubles Titles with Mahesh Bhupathi & the Czech Duo of Martin Damn & Radek Stepanek. Thanks Lee for the memories! #OneLastRoar
— Indian Sport Fanatic (@sport_indian) December 25, 2019
All the best👍 May 2020 be the best for you 💪. Need some time to get used to Indian tennis without you – our evergreen and ageless legend. ❤
— LEENA (@LeenaGS) December 25, 2019
Earlier this year, other notable sportspersons like Yuvraj Singh and Mithali Raj also announced their retirement from international cricket and T20I respectively. We wish all of them the very best for the future!