In the world of sports, certain moments stand out as defining chapters in the careers of legendary athletes. For Indian tennis icon Leander Paes, one such moment was his enthralling encounter with tennis great Andre Agassi at the US Open in 1996. In a riveting interview with “The Week,” Paes reminisced about the remarkable match that left an indelible mark on both players’ careers. Paes shared the exciting details of the game that showcased not only their tennis skills but also the incredible power of the mind and adaptability that set champions apart.

Leander Paes, the iconic Indian tennis player, undoubtedly belongs to this elite league. Known for his unmatched doubles prowess and illustrious career, Paes’ record of holding the most doubles wins in the Davis Cup and his numerous Grand Slam titles speak volumes about his greatness.

Leander Paes’ clever strategy that almost upset Andre Agassi

Back in 1996, at the Louis Armstrong court during the US Open, Leander Paes had a smart strategy to challenge Agassi. He wanted to keep Agassi from his usual side-to-side running, so he cleverly started making him move forward and backward instead. Paes surprised Agassi with well-timed drop shots and lobs, taking him out of his comfort zone.

In the interview, Paes explained, “I had developed a strategy to take him away from his side-to-side baseline running. So instead of running him laterally, I was bringing him forward and back. I hit a drop shot, and as he got to it, clipped a lob over his head. When he got to that, I did another drop shot. So I got him out of his comfort zone.”

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The match took an interesting turn when Agassi resorted to a clever tactic. He complained to the referee about Paes’ shoes squeaking and his grunting. This move unsettled Paes and disrupted his rhythm. Paes revealed, “He had tremendous amount of mental repertoire, not just the repertoire of the kick-serve or the forehand inside out, that [Nick] Bollettieri taught him. But more about that mental repertoire.” This cunning move showcased Agassi’s mental strength and tactical brilliance, which proved to be a game-changer.

Leander Paes, on the other hand, had a secret weapon in his arsenal – ‘jugaad,’ a beloved Indian term for resourcefulness and quick thinking. This unique blend of athleticism and quick thinking allowed him to play a brand of tennis that might not have been technically flawless but leveraged his strengths against Agassi’s weaknesses.

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Leander Paes ingenious ‘Jugaad’ approach

Paes’ cunning mindset allowed him to leverage his strengths as a serve-and-volleyer, pitting his skills against Andre Agassi’s baseline prowess. He elaborated, “I was using my attributes, my athleticism, my ability to think fast and adapt to situations. My student-of-the-game kind of approach to the game of tennis,” according to The Week.

Embracing his athleticism and sharp instincts, Paes demonstrated a student-of-the-game mentality, constantly adapting his strategies to outsmart his opponents. It might not have been textbook tennis, but his ‘jugaad’ style became a formidable weapon that brought him close, yet not close enough in his match against Agassi.

In the world of sports, we learn that being a champion is not just about technical skills. The match between Leander Paes and Andre Agassi at the 1996 US Open taught important life lessons about adaptability, mental strength, and what it takes to be a true sporting legend. Paes’ ability to use ‘jugaad,’ his mental strength, and his deep understanding of the game made him a respected figure in tennis.

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