BEHIND THE SCENES Away from people’s gaze, Leander’s team was preparing rookie Vishnu Vardhan both psychologically and technically for the Games

BEHIND THE SCENES

Away from people’s gaze, Leander’s team was preparing rookie Vishnu Vardhan both psychologically and technically for the Games

Conviviality wasn’t the word thrown about in Indian tennis in recent times. Something seems to have changed in the last three weeks. Away from people’s gaze, Leander Paes’s team has been involved in training Vishnu Vardhan for his maiden Olympic appearance. As Vardhan cleared his first Olympic test, no one was more pleased than Dr Vece Paes, Leander’s father. Dr Paes admitted that Vardhan was overawed. “I told him to take it easy, do what he can do best,” Dr Paes told this paper after the Leander-Vishnu pair overwhelmed Dutchmen Jean Julien Rojer and Robin Haase 7-6(1) 4-6 6-2. Vardhan was playing the doubles just two hours after his singles loss. Dr Paes said, “I was a bit worried because sometimes you tend to carry your emotions to the court. Losing the singles could have been disturbing. I was hoping that Vishnu, so tough mentally, will adapt and not allow the defeat to have a bearing on the next match.” Although Leander was busy playing in the US, he constantly updated himself on Vardhan’s progress. And while Dr Paes was helping the youngster on the psychological aspects, Leander’s mentor Rick Leach chiselled Vardhan’s game. It showed in his backhand return, instrumental in getting India the first service break. “We trained in short bursts. He wanted me to be mentally fresh. The hard regime is paying off. He worked on my serve and return,” said Vardhan, Leander’s 94th doubles partner. Leander said, “It’s amazing how someone who can work hard, keep things simple, and put himself on the line every day can produce great stuff. Two months ago, it would have been a dream come true to be where we are now. I’ve got to commend my coach, who has worked very hard with Vishnu, and my father who got him to London very early.” The weight is off his shoulders. There’s no fear of an early loss anymore. Over to round two.