Twenty-two years on the professional circuit. Seven Grand Slams in men's doubles, six mixed doubles Grand Slams, one Olympic medal. These are the numbers that define Leander Paes. But there are still some things about him you can't quantify in numbers: his child-like enthusiasm, his passion for the game and his cat-like reflexes on the tennis court (Andre Agassi, in his autobiography 'Open', calls Paes a flying jumping bean, a bundle of hyperkinetic energy with the tour's quickest hands.)

On his 40th birthday, he talks to MiD DAY about Leander Paes the tennis legend, the actor and the doting father.

Leander Paes strikes a pose at Sofitel Hotel, Bandra Kurla Complex. Pic/Sameer Markandeu00a0

How do you plan to celebrate your 40th birthday?
For me, age is just a number. As much as we are all celebrating my birthday, I actually look in life to celebrate my whole team who have to sacrifice their lives to be with me and support me: whether it's my tennis coach Rick Leach, my fitness trainer Dave Herman, who has been with me for 22 years, my yoga master, confidante and masseur Sanjay Singh, who's been with me for 23 years, my PR agent Geetika or my dad who's been with me my entire life as my doctor and mentor.

Run us through the last year?
At this moment of the year, if you ask me, it's just been a tight year. It's almost been like a new beginning.
I think in life you just have to be able to roll with the punches. When things are going really well, push even harder, achieve more. But when things are not going well, you tighten in, you consolidate, you make it a very solid year. When I'm on the court, if I'm playing really well, I know I can try all the shots because I know I've got great timing today. But if things are not great, I still got to make sure that my solidity is still good enough to win championships and this year's one of those years. Last year was such an excellent year, this year's a hard year. So, this year, I just got to consolidate, meaning finishing in the Top 10.

At 40, has retirement ever crossed your mind?
Sure. I mean I don't think you guys (journalists) let me live without the thought of it (laughs). Lot of fans have asked me this. At the end of the day, I think I've been very lucky as what I've already achieved helps me transcend retirement thoughts, or transcends how many more trophies you want to win, or how many more dollars you want to earn or how much more adulation you need from fans. Right now I'm playing because I'm very passionate about the sport, that same passion that I had to win trophies as a kid is still burning inside me.