Paes predicts a great 2005

Indian tennis star, Leander Paes, predicted that 2005 was going to be the "best" year in his career and he was course to win many ATP Tour and Grand Slam doubles title with his new partner, Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia.

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Paes said his prediction for a successful 2005 was based on his assessment of winning two important doubles matches in the ongoing ATP Tour Chennai Open, one of the Masters Series in the world, and also a tour title last year with Zimonjic.

"I am confident of winning as many tour titles and Grand Slams with Zimo. I have assessed him to be one of the best talents in the circuit now. Of course, it will take a month or two for us to override others to be world beaters,"he said.

Drawing comparisons, Paes said: "let me go back to the time when I picked Mahesh. He was a raw talent and gained to be a complete player in quick time. I had worked with him long hours before we became world number one. Likewise, Zimo is also highly talented and has cent per cent work ethics, which is the most important factor for a tennis player to raise his status in this competitive world."

Paes said he would take a decision on his availability for Davis cup match against China, to be held in New Delhi from March 5, before the end of next month.

However, Paes declined to comment on whether he would be be available as a player for the important fixture on grass.

"The season has just started and I need to prepare myself for such important matches, more so when my country is involved," he said.

Paes had said on January 4 that he had to shoulder major responsibility for India without much support particularly in singles play due to lack of quality second string players.

He had also said that he was worried about the future of Indian tennis.

Paes made his debut for the country in Davis Cup in 1990. He started successfully, winning a doubles rubber in the company of Zeeshan Ali against Japan at Chandigarh.

But, the leading player since then, Paes felt that he had to concentrate on singles for the Cup rubbers, though he wanted to be focussed on doubles in all competitions.

"Time and again, I do not want to harp on the fact that I am forced to be responsible for India in singles rubbers too even after serving the country for 14 years. This is mainly due to the fact that our next string of players are not yet ready to take the mantle from me," he said.