Leander Paes is on a new mission. That is the hunt to spot and then nurture the kids through the most scientific methods. Considering the knowledge of sports science, sports education, and modern training methods, the Paes family has earned it in an immense amount, almost a hundred years. Leander specifies revealing that his father Vece Paes the Olympian and a renowned doctor in sports medicine has a vast experience of almost 60 years in the field while Leander also has huge experience of 40 years in the field of modern training, sports education, professional approach, and dedication. 

In an exclusive interaction with Parallel Sports in Kolkata on Thursday, Padmasree, Arjuna and Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna awardee, 50-year-old legendary tennis player shared his opinions on a few major aspects of Indian tennis. 

Here are the excerpts:

On Indian women's tennis after Sania Mirza's retirement:

I am extremely hopeful for the new generation of women players in Indian tennis. Indian women's tennis has highly potential players like Ankita Raina, Rutuja Bhosale, and Soujanya Baviseti, and the Federation Cup women's team comprising all these players qualified for the World Group One for the first time. So, I should not say they are coming up. Rather I must say that they already have proved their mettle to bring glory to the country in near future. But at the same time, you must have to admit that the international level of tennis is not easy. One needs to travel the whole world, needs to have the financial strength of bearing the expenses of hotels, training and ultimately needs tremendous hard work. It is not easy to produce one within the world's top 10 in WTA rankings. It takes 10 to 15 years to reach the stature. I have huge respect for these players, for the sacrifice of their family members and I have huge respect for their determination. 

On whether Indian men will be able to bounce back after dropping to World Group Two for the first time:

I am optimistic about their revival. A lot of quality doubles players like Saket Myneni, Yuki Bhambri, Balaji, and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan are being noticed on the ATP tours nowadays. It might take time. Indian young players take time to get mature. So I bring the example of the new wonder boy Carlos Alkaraz it will wrong. A lot of things including genetics, and physical build-up depend on the development of the game as a whole. That is why a 19-year-old Indian tennis player cannot shine at the international level. We should leave that belief. We should understand genetics, psychology, and physical structure.

On The Stadiums named after him in Mumbai and Odisha:

I am humbled and honored. After serving the country for more than the last three decades with medals in the Grand Slams, Olympics as well as in numerous major international tournaments a player who had once played cricket and football barefooted on the roads and in parks of Kolkata is thankful for the honors he has received. Considering the nourishment of the potential young tennis players, programs can surely be held in these stadiums in the future. 

On his mission

I would not like to disclose specifically about my mission. But my experience and observation say 75 percent of the talent in youth in any field in India is untapped. So, I can try to educate and develop them by providing proper sports education, physical education, and modern training method for talented and untouched kids. I can reach the country's rural areas to start my programs. So, the journey has just begun. It might take a few more years before I can say I have found more 'Leanders'.