Leander Paes: My retirement comments were misconstrued

The iconic Leander Paes has ruled out immediate retirement from the competitive tennis, saying his comments were misconstrued and he actually aims to capture another Chennai Open trophy next year

Leander Paes

Chennai: The iconic Leander Paes has ruled out immediate retirement from the competitive tennis, saying his comments were misconstrued and he actually aims to capture another Chennai Open trophy next year and motivate his new partner to win his maiden Grand Slam title.

Paes and Brazilian Andre Sa began the 2017 season with a defeat against Indian team of Purav Raja and Divij Sharan in the opening round on Wednesday. "I hope to be back and I hope to be holding this trophy again," Paes replied when asked if he has played his last Chennai Open, where he is the most successful player till date. Paes has six Chennai Open trophies in his overflowing cupboard.

"I will keep playing hard and keep playing strong. I think there was a misunderstanding when Somdev pronounced retirement. Someone asked me a question and I said, it could be today, tomorrow or six months or somewhere down the track and all of a sudden it became as if Leander is retiring," Paes, winner of 18 Grand Slam titles, said.

"Things were put of context but that’s fine. I still love my tennis, I am really passionate about it."

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