I want to groom next generation of players: Paes

Leander Paes dished out yet another virtuoso performance to win the US Open men's doubles trophy, taking his Grand Slam tally to 10, but his taste for success is far from being cloyed.

He is India's most decorated tennis star and has achieved almost everything a player can dream of - 10 Grand Slam titles, an Olympic medal, Asian medals, most Davis Cup wins, a Rajiv Khel Ratna award, Padma Shri - yet Paes craves for one more thing.

"I still want to better my Olympic bronze," Paes told PTI in an interview after winning the US Open men's doubles title partnering Czech Lukas Dlouhy on Sunday.

"Doing well at the 2010 Asian and Commonwealth Games are immediate targets for next year," he added. 

Paes had ended India's four-decade long wait when he won a bronze during Atlanta Olympics in 1996.

Paes has a cupboard which now boasts of 41 trophies including six men's doubles and four mixed doubles Grand Slam crowns but he is not content with basking in past glory.

"After a while titles and honours become a bit of a blur. What one craves for is to be able to give back to the game in a manner that makes a difference for future players.

"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, not getting any younger at 36, is still going strong even after 18 years on the Tour. 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.

Asked for how long he can maintain such a high fitness level, he said,"As of now my goal is the London Olympics."