‘1999 was different, special’

There have been many moments of glory, many individual feats of brilliance over the last 60 years of Indian tennis. But it was only in 1999 that tennis suddenly became this global sport in which Indians could dominate the world.

Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi became the first pair in the world since 1952 to figure in all four Grand Slam doubles finals in a year.

Never before and never since have Indian athletes asserted their own against the world in a similiar manner — other than hockey success in the pre-synthetic turf era. They finished 1999 ranked as the best doubles team in the world and during the year both were individually ranked as world number one.

Getting the two to talk on the subject now is akin to petting a porcupine — its kind of sticky. But just like when the two still come together on court, the hiccups only last till the flow comes back again.

“From the first time we played together in a Challenger in Jakarta, he showed me something that stood out. His strengths are my weaknesses and vice versa.

That is anyway the core of all great doubles combinations. At the end of 1998 I had my highest singles ranking (73). But with Mahesh I was willing to give that up - and that’s something I still regret — for a chance to win doubles Grand Slams,” says Paes.

The two had won six titles out of seven finals in 1997 and six more out of eight in 1998 so Paes knew that they had it in them to create the magic of 1999.

“By 1999 we had matured and learnt how to win the big ones. Though we only won three titles that year (Wimbledon, French Open and Chennai ATP) we knew we were one of the best teams out there.

There wasn’t a tournament we entered without believing that we could win everytime. That was a great feeling and an exciting time,” says Bhupathi. “1999 came off two great years and took a lot of work,” he adds.

Strangely enough both were unable to share in the joy they were giving their fans. “We were already going through so much negative stuff that we were really not enjoying it to the maximum.

Basically it became about getting the job done. It was great to see the hard work deliver but the fun element was going away,” says Paes.

Asked as to how special it was Bhupathi chooses to focus on the bigger picture. “It was a special time for Indian tennis and the game got a major boost in the country.

Indians across the world were coming out of the woodwork to watch us.” Asked more directly as to how different was it to play the tour with Paes vis-a-vis his other partners Bhupathi concedes: “The fact that we were from the same country made it all the more special. We were labelled the Indian Express and were being invited to play tournaments across the world. It was different.”

The one common factor between the two stays regret that it did not carry on. “When one sits and looks back it is obvious we could have had even better years. Even now if we have 2-3 matches or about three days of practice together the chemistry is spot on again.

That instinctive understanding has never gone away,” says Paes. “If we would have not split one never knows what could have happened. I don’t think either of us is happy it didn’t work out further,” adds Bhupathi.

But don’t expect regret to turn into reconciliation soon. Both are almost certain that they will pair up for Beijing 2008. However while Bhupathi feels that they have to play a couple of Tour events going into the Games, Paes is reluctant.

“I have my commitments to my partner and am not sure I want to give up events in the run-up to the US Open to play with Mahesh. However its a long way off and the Olympics is very close to my heart.”

Bhupathi says: “Its been seven months without any communication between us. I’ll SMS him soon as we have to figure out a plan for Beijing.”

The Express may roll again or not but the historic past is something that can never be taken away from these two men who started a tennis revolution in India and infused pride in the hearts of every sports lover in this country.

For the fervent fan the hope lingers that they may overcome their circumstances and narrow now to steam together again.