Even off court, it pays to be Paes!

As he tees off on the vast stretches of the DLF Golf & Country Club, Leander Paes lends a careful ear to tips by former Test cricketer-turned-avid golfer Kapil Dev. Leander attempts his next shot, and his newfound instructor lets out a mild cheer. No, the tennis ace hasn’t switched over to a new career.
"I love golf," clarifies Leander, who was in the Capital as an ESPN nominee for the IMG-managed Bilt Skins golf event, "I started playing some five-six years back. My Australian coach Bob Carmichael initiated me into the game. Since then, my interest in golf has grown. In any case, there is practically no game which I am not interested in — be it tennis, rugby, football, basketball or badminton, I love playing all games."
The sporting spirit notwithstanding, games other than tennis are part of Leander’s hobby brigade. "I am basically an athlete — an all-round sports person. But as long as my two legs keep going, I will keep playing tennis," maintains Leander, "Tennis has given me a lot. For me, it has been the education of a lifetime."
And this education has taught Leander to take the trappings of fame in his stride. "I have taken all the accolades over the past 10 years with a pinch of salt. And I have managed to maintain my balance by allowing myself to enjoy my private moments — my time with my friends, family and loved ones is something I never make public," says Leander, even as he betrays a ‘no-personal-questions’ look through the corner of his eyes. Back in India from Orlando, Leander is busy catching up with life in the country. "Although
I have a lot of Indian friends there, I miss our country’s culture in America. I miss home, my family and Indian food. If I am based there, it is because the US offers me top-class training venues," explains Leander.
But there won’t be any training over the next few days. Leander is on a two-week break from tennis. But he is definitely looking forward to the future. "Year 2003 will be very important for me. I will concentrate a lot on doubles and regain my position in international tennis." As the diamond stud on his ear catches the light of the sun, it complements the hearty smile Leander breaks into. The man knows how to hold court.