The beauty of vulnerability: Leander Paes reflects on life, leadership, and tennis at The Hindu Lit For Life
The beauty of vulnerability: Leander Paes reflects on life, leadership, and tennis at The Hindu Lit For Life
It takes blood, sweat and tears to have a truly great career in sports. It also requires a deep understanding of one’s journey to be able to go back in time, reflect and pick out life lessons for the benefit of future generations.
At the end of a long first day of ‘ The Hindu Lit For Life’ — filled with engaging conversations around global politics, literature, history, religion, etc. — Sir Mutha Venkatasubba Rao Concert Hall was still packed for the final session. Leander Paes, India’s most decorated tennis star, was in the house.
After a short video featuring some of the greatest moments of Paes’ career — from the historic Olympic bronze at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta to his multiple Grand Slam triumphs – the conversation started around his latest achievement of becoming the first Asian man to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in the player category.
In the session moderated by Suresh Balakrishna, the Chief Revenue Officer of The Hindu Group, the 51-year-old Paes charmed the audience with his wit and humour. He also had a lump in his throat when he reminisced about all the sacrifices his parents, friends, and he himself had to make to be where he is today.
Sharing his experience of playing with Martina Navratilova and Martina Hingis – with whom he won two and four Majors in mixed doubles, respectively – Paes gave a valuable life lesson in leadership and how different personalities impact someone’s life.
“Martina Navratilova is a born leader. When we would go out into a match and the coin toss would be done, she would always want to choose whether to serve or receive,” said Paes.
On the other hand, Hingis, who had formed a solid partnership with Paes during World Team Tennis, was not sure about trying the same partnership at Slams. “She said, ‘What if we lose? What if I am not ready and look bad on the court and the men hit harder?’”, remembered Paes.
“The beauty of a human being is in their vulnerability and the beauty of a partner is in how you protect your partner’s vulnerability,” added Paes.
Paes and Hingis went on to clinch all four Majors in the space of 18 months.
