October 2016 will be quite a month to remember. The opportunity of reconnecting with the sport of tennis, after over an decade through my professional endeavors. What more could I have asked for?
I began playing the sport in the mid-1990s at a club in Doha, Qatar. My family was based out of the country in those days, as my father was associated with the Government of Qatar owned Qatar Telecom (Q-Tel). Such was his interest in the likes of Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Thomas Muster and Gustavo Kuerten, that he just couldn't resist the opportunity of indulging in the game and also got the whole extended family involved in it, #women inclusive!
Such was the level of craziness with the sport, that we never missed an ATP event in Qatar. During the 1997 Open, I first laid my eyes on Leander Paes and his doubles partner, Mahesh Bhupathi (with whom he would go ahead and forge an amazing partnership, while creating history in the doubles discipline!). Paes and Bhupathi were just starting out those days and thanks to the huge Indian diaspora, they were never short of any fan following. Watching Leander play from close quarters was a dream come true and he was hit among families and the kids. This experience, for a 10 year old like myself was enthralling, to say the least!
Circa 2016, a cool 19 years later, I get to meet this legend again! This time, face-to-face and have heart-to-heart conversations as I welcome him to my organization's premises. Touch wood, he couldn't have looked any younger, in spite of being in his forties. Extremely fit and fresh as a daisy!
He oozed charm, exuded confidence and had almost all employees engaged with his pep-talk for couple of hours he spent with us. Leander was extremely vocal about having dreams and realizing them, come what may! He spoke about his humble beginnings of having been born in a family of sports persons and how he took up the sports of tennis, in a nation dominated by cricket and hockey. He just wanted to leave an indelible mark for his nation and for himself in the sport of tennis! In between, he brought the whole auditorium down, with his wit and humor - a side none of us present ever knew!
He credited a few of his life's experiences for leaving him determined and willed to constantly challenge himself; especially the time when he was stuck in Germany as a 19 year old, with under $5 in his pocket, his career-threatening medical condition, which was labelled as a cancerous tumor around his eye socket and cerebellum region and also spoke about the pain of losing near and dear ones. "Never take life for granted" - those were his golden words!
While he took questions from the audience about his historical triumphs at the Davis Cup and world renowned Grand Slams, he spoke about tennis being a great leveler - in terms of forging relationships with legends like Martina Navratilova and Martina Hingis, that last for a lifetime and some games that could have changed his perception, had they gone in his favor. No Regrets - it's been a great ride, that's what Leander said.
As he took leave of the packed auditorium, which gave him a resounding reception as he entered and exited, a lot of his fans and well-wishers pounced to take selfies and receive autographs. Escorting him out from the auditorium till his chauffeured car, gave me an opportunity to speak to him in person. As I mentioned about my last encounter with him, as a 10 year old kid, it was evident that my nostalgia moved him immensely. He spoke about Qatar and how he enjoyed playing to a packed house there. "Nothing like playing and representing 1 billion people at the global stage" - a privilege which humbles him daily.
It's not everyday, one gets to meet a legend and as a token of appreciation, he signed couple of tennis balls. Worth it's weight in gold, for me! Parking himself in the plush SUV that awaited him, we fist bumped each other and I couldn't resist myself from saying, 'Leander, let's hope we meet again 20 years down the line, in a different scenario. That will be awesome." His smile said it all and we fist bumped again!
Some legends are born, some are a by-product of sheer hard work and determination. Yet, I would categorize this Lion-heart athlete as a legend who touches lives, anywhere around the world!
Knowing him, whenever he does plan to hangup his boots, he will look to return all the love to the society that made him what he is today! A stint in Bollywood. Quite possible! Hollywood heartthrob, the chances are upbeat. Doing something for humanity. A big 'YES' always!
Cheers to the #Lionheart! Roaring success to him always!
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