It takes blood, sweat and tears to have a really nice profession in sports activities. It additionally requires a deep understanding of 1’s journey to have the ability to return in time, replicate and select life classes for the advantage of future generations.
On the finish of a protracted first day of ‘ The Hindu Lit For Life’ — stuffed with partaking conversations round international politics, literature, historical past, faith, and so forth. — Sir Mutha Venkatasubba Rao Live performance Corridor was nonetheless packed for the ultimate session. Leander Paes, India’s most embellished tennis star, was in the home.
After a brief video that includes a number of the biggest moments of Paes’ profession — from the historic Olympic bronze on the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta to his a number of Grand Slam triumphs – the dialog began round his newest achievement of changing into the primary Asian man to be inducted into the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame within the participant class.
Within the session moderated by Suresh Balakrishna, the Chief Income Officer of The Hindu Group, the 51-year-old Paes charmed the viewers together with his wit and humour. He additionally had a lump in his throat when he reminisced about all of the sacrifices his mother and father, pals, and he himself needed to make to be the place he’s at the moment.
Sharing his expertise of taking part in with Martina Navratilova and Martina Hingis – with whom he gained two and 4 Majors in blended doubles, respectively – Paes gave a helpful life lesson in management and the way totally different personalities influence somebody’s life.
“Martina Navratilova is a born chief. Once we would exit right into a match and the coin toss can be accomplished, she would all the time need to select whether or not to serve or obtain,” mentioned Paes.
Then again, Hingis, who had shaped a stable partnership with Paes throughout World Group Tennis, was undecided about attempting the identical partnership at Slams. “She mentioned, ‘What if we lose? What if I’m not prepared and look unhealthy on the courtroom and the boys hit tougher?’”, remembered Paes.
“The fantastic thing about a human being is of their vulnerability and the great thing about a accomplice is in the way you defend your accomplice’s vulnerability,” added Paes.
Paes and Hingis went on to clinch all 4 Majors within the house of 18 months.