Top five moments of Leander Paes' career

In a career spanning 24 years, Leander Paes has smashed his way to success many a time just like he did on Sunday in the US Open by winning the men's doubles title, for his 14th major. NDTV picks top five picture perfect moments in Paes' career.

 

NUMBER 5: 1990: WINS WIMBLEDON JUNIOR TITLE & RISES TO NO.1 IN JUNIOR WORLD RANKINGS

 

In 1990, Leander Adrian Paes won the junior Wimbledon title, going on to become the top ranked junior tennis player. That was when the world was forced to sit up and take notice.

 

NUMBER 4: 2012: COMPLETES CAREER SLAM BY WINNING AUS OPEN IN MEN'S DOUBLES

Nobody had beaten the 3rd, 2nd and 1st seeds in the men's doubles in one edition at the Australian Open. But Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek did just that to win the 2012 Australian Open men's doubles title. But it was the fact that this win gave Paes his career slam in men's doubles is what made this special.

 

NUMBER 3: 1999: WINNING FRENCH OPEN & WIMBLEDON

 

At number 3 is when the Indian Express caught speed. In the year 1999, Leander Paes and partner Mahesh Bhupathi reached the finals of all four Grand Slams, winning Wimbledon and the French Open. The duo also became the number one ranked doubles team.

 

NUMBER 2: 1998: BEATS PETE SAMPRAS

 

At number 2 is possibly the biggest upset pulled off by an Indian in men's singles. Paes beat then world number one Pete Sampras in straight sets at the Pilot Pen International Tennis Championships in 1998. Leander himself called it his biggest achievement.

 

NUMBER 1: 1996: ATLANTA OLYMPICS BRONZE MEDAL

 

The number one moment has got to be the bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Games. The feat made him India's first individual Olympic medallist since 1952 and the first medal for India in 16 years. Paes' performance was such that Andre Agassi, the man he lost to in the semis later wrote in his book 'He's a flying jumping bean, a bundle of hyperkinetic energy, with the tour's quickest hands'. Clearly, things haven't changed even at 40.