SPORT PAES 2

"I am already looking at life beyond tennis and would
like to be involved in grooming the next generation of players
from India. My dream for the future is many more players from
India in the main draw of Grand Slams. That too, not in
doubles alone," Paes said.

Paes is already 36 and by the time he competes in the
2012 London Olympics, he would be nearing 40.

The body would not be the same after playing for 18 years
but he is still going strong. Paes is a regular in top-10 of
the ATP doubles ranking list. So what is it that keeps him
going?

"Discipline, consistent hard work off the court and a
healthy lifestyle are key to my fitness. I don't smoke or
drink, am careful about what I eat and stay committed to a
strenuous off-season training programme which keeps me Tour
ready year after year.

"I carry my gym with me in my bag and I still workout
every single day. I have also been very careful about nursing
my body when I have been injured and going through extensive
rehab to ensure I am fully fit when I take court again."

Asked for how long he can maintain such a high fitness
level, he said," As of now my goal is the London Olympics. As
long as I keep enjoying my tennis and even more importantly my
off-court fitness regime -– for you are nothing on court if
you have not put in the sweat and toil preparing for it – I
will keep at it," he said. MORE PTI