India Davis Cup legend Leander Paes made it clear that he opted to play World Team Tennis during India's last engagement against New Zealand in order to give youngsters a chance to prepare for the bigger battles ahead of them.
"Davis Cup is something very important to me. It's not like I am not prepared to put myself forward for the team. It is a conscious decision that I made. Look, in the last few years I have let the youngsters play in Asian zone. I am 42; I believe that a young one should come and take me out of my job," Paes told mediapersons, after his first practice session ahead of the World Group Play-Off against Czech Republic on Wednesday.
Paes, who won the US Open mixed doubles title with Martina Hingis last week, was asked the question following non-playing captain Anand Amritraj's statement that he felt bad for Saketh Myneni, who had played in the last Davis Cup tie against New Zealand at Christchurch.
"If I keep playing all the ties that we should win comfortably, then I can play for the next four to five years. It's about nurturing the youngsters. As they get better and better, improve their ranking, out me out of my job," the winner of 19 Grand Slam titles said.
About the match against the Czech Republic, he felt the side with control of the first set may go on to win their matches.
After hitting with partner Rohan Bopanna for about an hour in the evening, he concluded that the court is quite slow, the ball is jumping, so players should be ready for long rallies.
"Physical fitness will be a huge factor in this tie. It’s eight in the evening, it is so humid; if you come out at noon or in a five-set match in Delhi heat, the physicality of this tie will be phenomenal. It's not best-of-three. The court is playing really slow, the ball is jumping," Paes said.
Paes, who has vast experience of playing and winning tough matches in the Davis Cup, had a word of advice for the Indian players.
"The obvious part is the fluid, the rest, getting the body ready; but also look after diet, stretching and recovering. What is going to be tested that rallies are going to be long and whoever wins the first set, controls the first set, will do well," he said.
He said if at this age he was able to win Grand Slams it was due to discipline. He won three mixed doubles titles, except the French Open which he did not play, this year.
"2015 has been a hard year (due to turmoil in personal life) but tennis was good. Wining three Grand Slams in a year is phenomenal, specially doing it after being on road for 25 years. It is really special. It is about the sense of discipline and having a great team behind me," Paes, who is battling a court case for the custody of her daughter, said.
