NEW DELHI, March 31: It can now be called the 14-week syndrome, the strange, but not unusual, affliction that has forced Leander Paes to pull out of a Davis Cup tie for the first time in his career. Ever since he made his debut for India at Chandigarh in 1990, he has not missed a tie. And even as he graduated from an ordinary member of the squad to a superstar who could beat almost anyone in Davis Cup, Paes is already regarded as one of the all-time greats in Indian tennis history.And over the last one year, more so after the bronze medal at Atlanta Olympics, Paes has realised more than ever before that even individual glory is within his grasp. The direct affect was of this was a tight and daunting schedule, which while netting him unprecedented success on the court and in terms of bank balance has also resulted in a heavy price. But one thing is certain and that is, his tendinitis of the rotator cuff is due to non-stop tennis. But for that one week in February he has been on-court every week in 1998. Andweighing on him must be the fact that only once in his eight years of pro tennis has he broken into top 100.
Packing tournaments one after the other even while suffering huge swings in fortune in singles. Add to that his success in doubles from where most of his earnings came last year and this year he and Bhupathi have already won two Tour titles.
Last year he did not get anywhere far in singles but he almost became a world champion in doubles with Bhupathi. Sponsors queued up and Paes understandably was keen because the cash registers were ringing non-stop.
And then he plunged straight into competitive tennis without a break or without proper training. It took him 14 weeks to realise how badly that has affected his career as his shoulder gave way during the Lipton Championships at Key Biscayne.
That did not materialise, as it were, and his rankings plunged to almost 160 during the second week of February. He brought his rankings up to 130 with a singles title in the Bangkok Challenger.
The NewYear began with the Qatar Open and the Sydney International after that. Then two weeks of Australian Open, where he reached the doubles semis. One week of rest and then four weeks of Challenger and finally Key Biscayne.
He should have seen the signs when he hurt his abdominal muscle in Doha, but the doubles title might have lessened the pain; the doubles title in Dubai must have further obliterated the danger he was running. Pulling out of the Davis Cup tie has distressed him no end, but in the long run it is a minor sacrifice because had he gone ahead with the tie, he may have done irreparable damage to his career. He suffered an abdominal injury during the doubles in the World Group first round tie against Czech Republic in Pribram, last year. But he carried on with the injury and ended up in tears.
The rotator cuff injury can be healed completely with proper rest. But the unfortunate part is that it is the kind of injury that could often play up in the mind and wreak havoc with a player'sconfidence.
We all know Paes has a strong mind. He needs that now more than ever.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
