Paes and Bhupathi won their second Grand Slam doubles title yesterday many that Express Newsline spoke to were unaware that this was their second Slam to hit the headlines. Paes, after winning the French Open doubles with Bhupathi four weeks back, had said they would be lucky to get a mention in newspapers back home that were swamped by the cricket mania generated by the World Cup. But the World Cup is now history -- and a bitter one for Indians, whose optimism was overfed by the merchants of hype.

Wimbledon came as a welcome diversion. And with Paes and Bhupathi in full flow, the tennis heroes were clamouring for attention with the Kargil heroes on the front pages of every newspaper.

``The media has ahuge role to play,'' says tennis coach Mayur Vasant. ``Thank god cricket is over, it's time tennis got its due.''

Vasant's sister Nirupama -- a former National champion -- echoed her brother's sentiment. ``But the problem remains that the middle class still cannot afford to play the game. So how many can take it up?'' asked Nirupama, who Express Newsline randomly met some tennis-playing children, and their reaction indicates there is still some way to go. But one reaction remains common: ``The Indian duo's feat should be inspirational.''Players Harsh Mankad and Sonal Phadke do find motivation in this win and several experts and regular tennis followers are sure we have new role models now at least closer home. ``Children will associate with Paes and Bhupathi, unlike big stars who are out of reach,'' says Vasant. But most are unsure about sponsors making a beeline to promote tennis. Or for that matter, a boom in the sport similar to the one that took place in Sweden following Bjorn Borg's success.

``Itwill be easier to motivate children, but I doubt if money is going to pour in,'' said Nitin Kannamwar, coach and well-known umpire. With no live telecast of the doubles, viewers were restricted to watching the singles matches -- another piece of misfortune for Bhupathi and Paes, who also won the mixed doubles.

But then, they should have been playing cricket if they wanted attention.