PTI
Rio de Janeiro, August 7: His hopes of a second Olympic medal dashed, an emotional Leander Paes, did not hide his disappointment after losing the first round men’s doubles match with Rohan Bopanna here Saturday. The winner of 18 doubles Grand Slam titles stated that he has ‘become a soft target’ and that is the reason why people of far less calibre are ‘taking potshots’ at him.
Asked about whether the sheen has been taken off without a doubles Olympic medal in his cabinet, Paes said: “It should have been about celebrating a career. I am in a position of being the soft target, so a lot of guys wanna (sic) take shots at me. But that doesn’t bother me. I will keep going as I am resilient.”
His answer was all laced with sarcasm when he said that some people were trying to pull him down when they did not even know what it takes to win one Grand Slam.
“Not many people understand what it takes to win one Grand Slam. So how will they realise the importance and value of winning 18. Similarly they also don’t know the sacrifice one has to go through, the determination one has to possess to play in seven Olympics. These people have a personal ego,” lashed out Paes.
“May be they think the way I did it was wrong. But that is there for everyone to see. My results speak for themselves. First let one of these critics win even 10 Grand Slams,” added the 43-year-old veteran. It was clear that he was referring to some of his teammates who had refused to play doubles with him in the build-up to Rio.
Paes said if he could manage to remain injury free, he would love to play his eighth Olympics at Tokyo in 2020. “Four years is a long time away and you don’t think so far down the track. As of now, I am disappointed today (Saturday). I haven’t had a chance to enjoy the seventh yet.
“Would I love to be in Tokyo and get my eighth Olympics? Yes 100 per cent. I can do it. If I continue to enjoy my tennis and remain injury-free, then certainly, I will think about Tokyo,” added Paes. The question is whether the AITA or some others will allow him to enjoy his tennis.
Asked to pick three memorable moments from his Olympic career apart from his 1996 singles bronze medal at Atlanta Games, Paes said: “Barcelona…my first Olympics, walking in to the opening ceremony. Apart from a medal in 1996 Atlanta, Mohammad Ali lighting the flame was amazing. Last night (Friday) was really special to walk into the opening ceremony. It felt beautiful.”