Let Paes just do what he is good at, which is playing. He was never good when it came to attitude and ego. Obviously, his leadership skills are nil too. It is detrimental for India to put future Tennis stars into this guy's hands.
Leander was & is still a great player & he has always played the best tennis for his country. No body can take that credit away from him. We will be a set of ungrateful people if we do not acknowledge this fact. How ever, with more than one player revolting against him, we'll have to see if he lacks managerial skills. Not all great players have turned out to be great captains or great coaches. Not all great players can turn out to be Chak de's Kabir Khan.
RE:Leander Paes
by rahul on Feb 24, 2008 08:55 PM
this dumb idiot never knew what it is to win a singles match leave alone a grand slam , he doesnt deserve to be a team leader anyways and prakash ?? wtf is he complaining about?? he was in the us all his life , now cuz hes got virtually no scope there, hes in india , cuz here anyone who knows how to hold a racket is the countrys next hope, we cant do shit in any sport other than cricket, thats a given fact , mr paes played all his life and a lowlife like prakash amritraj is ranked higher than him in singles , thats a utter shame
RE:Leander Paes
by Younus Khan on Feb 24, 2008 09:19 PM
if lowlife like prakash is ranked higher that shows what a pathetic singles player paes was . and most of these guys play davis cup as thats the only place they can win because top stars skip davis cup
RE:Leander Paes
by Srikumar Dasgupta on Feb 25, 2008 12:15 AM
Younisbhai, jara peechey mud he dekho.. Paes has been our eternal fighter, it all started in 1989 and I have lost count howmany big guns had bite the dust gainst paes in Davis cup. I still remember how hee defeated Ivanosevic at his peak.
RE:Leander Paes
by Subhasis Das on Feb 24, 2008 11:45 PM
Mr khan, you shud stick to your mosque, not comment on things you dont know. Paes has won a ATP singles title and ranked 73 in the world. our jokers here have never been to the q-final and their highest rank has been 265.
All the team members are absolutely right, Paes is nothing but a glory hound...Why does Paes have to always play against the NO.2 player on the opposing side, even when all the other singles players are ranked higher then him. What rankles me is when Paes acts as if he's the last patriot standing..granted Paes has won a number of matches for India and deserves his due, but you analyze his statements over the years, he's a great player but also a very selfish and petty man, he always talks down all other players down and glorifies himself and always uses the tricolour to shroud his jealousy. There's no use tom tomming your patriotism when you belittle others. When Bhupathi started doing well He split with him and started questioning his utility, When a traumatized Sania Mirza decided not to take part in a local tournament he mocked her decision when it wasnt any of his business , when Amritraj had a breach of discipline he broadcast what should have remained under wraps, just imagine, you are good enough to represent the country and play the opposing teams NO.1 singles player but not the no.2, its like if Dhoni says he wants his team mates to bat against the frontline players, but he'll bat against the part timers, If you read all of Paes interviews he uses his patriotism to shroud his insecurities and questions everyone elses commitment. He never gives anyone else their due, but always give melodramatic statements about how he's the only super patriot around.
RE:Pae's double standards
by on Feb 24, 2008 11:13 PM
Anil, I disagree. Paes has always performed better representing the country than representing himself. Also, he's always been a clutch player, who delivers when required, unlike Rastogi or Bopanna (haven't seen Amritraj enough to comment). In that regard, ranking is immaterial. When the final rubber needs to be won, i still trust him to do it over the others. And the fact remains, the odds of beating the opponent's second player are higher than beating their first player (tactics, people, not ego). If the young guns want to prove themselves, let them win the opening rubbers and settle the issue before the final day. Show your mettle there, rather than slandering a proven hero (think back to the '93 semifinals against France). As to belittling others, i don't remember him ever saying anything about Bhupathi other than that they had a difference in opinion? And what's wrong in opining on Sania. 'not any of his business'? Should people only voice thier opinion only when supportive of an issue? Not many people get the opportunity to play in front of 30,000 adoring fans who'll cheer your every move. Sania's throwing that away (and taking that opportunity from them) to appease some no-good small-time mullah? Finally, the Amritraj issue, his going out on the town the night before an important game was as unprofessional as was his decision to disagree in public (my comment on free opinion only holds if you're 3rd party, not if you're part of a team).
RE:RE:Pae's double standards
by on Feb 24, 2008 11:39 PM
continuing on my earlier rant..... Prakash went out on the town, probably drank too much and had a hang over, maybe ate something that did give him the Delhi-belly or maybe he was fine, just not as well rested as he should have been. Either way, it was the captain's prerogative to 'punish' him by not playing him and playing Somdev instead. Paes did not go to the media saying why he rested him, perhaps created the excuse of the Delhi-belly, and that was that. Prakash never should have contradicted the captain's claim publicly, which is what forced Paes' hand and make him disclose the issue to the press.
In any case, if his players do not trust him, though it shows up their insecurity and pettiness more than anything else, it does show a failure of leadership. Paes will probably step aside on his own, but the nation will be the poorer for it. I think the country needs someone with his drive, tenacity, and inspiration to lead it forward in every sporting (and non-sporting) field. If we lose him, hopefully we can find someone else to fill the substantially large shoes he'll leave behind. Also, i hope people are able to convince him to stay involved with Indian tennis. God knows we need it.
RE:Pae's double standards
by debarshi on Feb 24, 2008 11:02 PM
i think there is no harm in being melodramatic about his country...dont really understand what insecurities you are talking about in Paes...byfar he was a better singles player (remember his highest rank was in 70s and for many days he was around 100) than any of the jokers and even better than Bhupati...Bhupati infact never played singles seriously..in doubles Paes is still one of the dealiest player in the circuit..no body can replace his place from Indian davis cup team...he doesnot need to glorify himself, records talk for him in Davis cup...on the contrary i feel the others are feeling insecure because they cannot stand his presence...even great Bhupati despite his int. doubles records has never dared to save india in Davis cups which Paes did several times...and what about this shit stories about playing against no.1 and no.2 players???...please look at their rankings and you will realise a 200 or 300 ranked players are even higher in ranking than Paes's singles ranking in 1000s but still those other jokers cannot beat them...
guys, remember the saying, when elephant is stuck in mud even a frog kick him....same here...these stupid bopanna , rastogi , amrtiraz, all of them together cannot equal Paes's deeds for india in davis cup, forget about equalling his international claims , they are revolting against Paes because perhaps he put his own decision which is and always will be by far for the country only...shame on these, they should immediately be banned by indian tennis assoc...just imagine a number 15 Ranji player of Mumbai is blamimg Sachin Tendulkar for taking all the credit...lol...
RE:Clear case of Bong Politics
by on Feb 24, 2008 11:28 PM
Dude, your post is the only thing in this whole situation that sounds parochial.
Who Bongs? Paes? He's a Goan. Somdev? He's Assamese. If Paes becomes an honorary Bong cause he grew up in Calcutta (i like the way you think, bcos i'm from Bombay, and being a Tam-Bram, the Shiv Sena still doesn't recognize me as a son of the soil), then i'll have to point out that Somdev's from Madras. All in all, your post is ridiculous. Few more patriotic (if not unifying) characters have risen in Indian sport than Paes
RE:Clear case of Bong Politics
by Libran on Feb 24, 2008 11:31 PM
I think you are reading too much between the lines. I don't know who is southie, Delhite or bomg here?
For me leander paes is the best and among the most dedicated sportsman india has ever produced. The people who find it difficult at the age of 20's to give a fight to the opponent, challenges the master who in his 30's fight for a single point as if his life depends on the point. I never had any regards for Mr Bhupati and the generation next is not even capable of winning a satelite tournament leave alone a davis cup matches.. they feel uncomfortable with paes shows their level of maturity..., The fellow who had he settled in his country could not have even become a ball boy challenges the champ., I know some of u may say that past things are only considered as glory, but for me Leander eptimozies the valour and courage one gets when he plays for his country... for me he is a true indian who have done more than his ability to keep the tricolour flying high and he will always remain my rolemodel... I dont play tennis or for that matter any other game professionally but when ever i get some time to play i play just like my hero does, give ur best, probably i have learnt to inculcate the sense of pride towards our country, in worst of the situations only by idolising leander.. I dont know why but i feel very hurt when someone says bad about him, i dont follow any political leader apart from Mr APJ Abdul Kalam neither any silver screen personality, for me only few people gives inspiration to fight for the country and without hesitation i can say the paes is at the to
RE:Think country before self.,,
by Kittappa on Feb 24, 2008 07:59 PM
abe yaar, there is nothing called a true indian. It is a country where 1 billion people consider settling abroad to be a matter of honor. People still live in India only out of no choice
RE:RE:Think country before self.,,
by Jim on Feb 24, 2008 08:43 PM
Dont try fool yourself by thinking the the whole country is thinking in line with what you think.
RE:RE:RE:Think country before self.,,
by R N on Feb 24, 2008 08:48 PM
Jim, I think you are trying to fool yourself. WHat Kittappa has said is very much true. If you are saying that you love staying in India then you are not fit enough to get jobs outside thats why you are settling down on false patriotism.
RE:Think country before self.,,
by Telveer on Feb 24, 2008 08:57 PM
Jim is correct. It is ridiculous to paint everyone with the same brush. There are numerous people coming back and settling in India. Also, I know many people who rejected overseas jobs to stay back in India. Everyone has their own reasons. Do not try to speak for everyone.
RE:RE:Think country before self.,,
by Aarthi Shyam on Feb 24, 2008 11:33 PM
This is in response to : liked it. what you have said it is absolutely absolutely true. Those who are living in India are there out of no choice. I may get some harsh replies to this but it is a bitter truth. Settling abroad for whatever is what everyone looking to and it is true also.
Staying in India, it is easier to say that settling abroad is a good option if you get an opportunity to do so. Settling abroad was a good option in the 90's..no longer is it viable. People earlier came abroad for the money and quality of life. But more for the money. Now when they get almost the same or sometimes even more than what people abroad earn, there is no need for them to come out of India.Settling abroad is not an easy joke. You get Visa only if you are qualified, and then becoming an permanent resident is also a pain. If you don't earn well, you cannot live abroad - India does not have any such problem. That is why people prefer staying in India. Most people that prefer to stay in India are those who have gone abroad for short period of time and realized that staying in India is a better choice.
RE:Think country before self.,,
by Aarthi Shyam on Feb 24, 2008 11:27 PM
This is in response to : here is nothing called patriotism. If they are so patriotic why dont they work for Indian army/ISRO/DRDO/HAL for example, instead of working for multinationals and earning 25 lakhs per annum?
I find it ridiculous that to demonstrate one's patriotism, once has to enroll only in the army, or anything related to the three armed forces. One can still be patriotic by working for a multi-national company.
RE:RE:Think country before self.,,
by shivkumar menon on Feb 25, 2008 01:18 AM
And this message was intended to Kitappa and flock with similar sentiments.
bopanna n prakash, plz remember the matches u are talkin abt were more than a yr ago..paes is not 80..we know how much he done for us all these years..so wat if he gave chance to somdev?he deserves it..the captain decides who plays which match and whether he can play or not..he doesn serve u much??well paes has served us all these yrs..we need no explanation abt his skills..
Typical of the new gen who care too hoots about country, seniority or reputation. They just have no pride playing for their country. This is the sign of the times. Davis Cup, my bare foot.
Even Federer does not have this ego. Roddyck, Hewitt or even the mercurial Safin seems to have more of it for their country.
It is either my way or no way for these kids. They could have sorted it out easily. Now the hero of many battles, Paes is in the spotlight. Big daddy Vijay could have had a calming influence. But it is now out in the open. As usual, we can battle it out in the nets with the usual extraneous filth thrown in according to our moods.
Sania seems to have done a wise thing. We can agree only to nothing!
Leander is still an active player in the tennis world so he can not become non-playing captain against stronger teams and playing captain against weaker teams.He at best can be considerd as a player if good enough.
Paes plays tennis. Mahesh plays politics in addition. Prakash and Rohan are kids who'll never grow up. They are influrenced by the Paes--Mahesh controversy and saying things they can not even understand. If a Davis Cup Tie is Live after 4 matches, then Paes MUST play the last singles; he IS our best player. Prakash and Bopanna lose steam by the 3rd set. That is when Paes , even today, can stretch the best players in the world. For that matter, even Vijay Amritraj can beat Prakash today, despite the age gap.Let not Prakash and Bopanna get into tennis politics before becoming reliable players for India.
RE:Paes Plays
by narendran ranganathan on Feb 24, 2008 07:35 PM
You are absolutely RIGHT-I still can't forget how Paes wept after clinching the decider against Pakistan-Yes!ONLY Leander can handle deftly such situations.Kudos to him for for all he did for the nation.
