India’s ace tennis player who will be participating in his record sixth Olympic said that he knows what it takes to win a medal at the Olympics and he will make sure that the controversies going around him does not distract him from his target, says a report in The DNA.
Paes when asked about Jaidip Mukerjea's comments that his chances of winning a medal in the men's doubles category at the Olympics are very rare, Paes said, “I think everybody has his or her own opinions. I don't deal with other people's opinions. I know what it takes to win a medal. I know how much hard work it takes. I have won a medal before so long story short I don't delve into people's expectations, the negativities and the politics. I do what I do best which is to let my racquet do the talking.”
On the controversy that surrounded Indian tennis, Paes said, “I was hurt. I was very stressed but at the end of the day that is life, isn't it. It was hard to go through Wimbledon and play day in and out. What you have to do as a professional athlete is to get away from all the negatives and the politics. I was able to do that well.”
On his young partner Vishnu Vardhan, Paes said, “Vishnu had never been to Wimbledon before so I got him to come and stay there with me and practice on the grass courts there. He soaked in the atmosphere, the conditions there. Right now for the last 10 days he has been practising with my coach Rick Leach in California. Now that the team has been selected it is my job to go out there and play my game and heart out for the country.”
Meanwhile, The Times of India reports Paes saying that he is looking forward to walking in the opening ceremony for the record sixth time.
Paes in an interview to the TOI said that the controversy affected him as he was distracted by off-court issues whilw playing in the Wimbledon. Paes said that he had to make a huge effort and focus to reach the finals in the mixed doubles category.
