For the most on Saturday, it looked like Leander Paes was after all going to get his record. Though he eventually remained tied with Nicola Pietrangeli's 42 doubles Davis Cup wins, the 43-year-old showed he has enough left in the tank for a chase. Pairing with Saketh Myneni, the 18-time Grand Slam champion was his inimitable self, floating at the net, putting away winners at will against Olympic gold medallists Rafa Nadal and Marc Lopez.
Speaking with ESPN later, Paes was prompt to hand his first-time partner an offer to play with him on the tour. But he was caustic about the team selection for the Rio Olympics, particularly over not being picked to play mixed doubles with Sania Mirza. He also touched upon his career, partners, India's lack of depth in singles and much more. Excerpts:
Where would this match fit in among all your Davis Cup matches so far?
That's an interesting question. Boy, that's a tough one. This match would rank up with one of the better ones even though we lost on the fact that it would be encouraging for the next months ahead. I couldn't think of a number to put to it but for me personally to continue playing at the age of 43 and the quality of tennis I'm playing against the gold medal winners and being a sliver shy of going 2-0 up or taking it to five sets is encouraging. Physically I feel like a billion dollars. Also to play with Saketh for the first time and to see how natural the combination was, was really good.
What did you make of Saketh's performance today and any plans of pairing up on the tour?
With what I saw today, if he wants to play doubles there's a clean offer. If he's open to it, I would enjoy playing with him on the tour. If I get Saketh for six months and he keeps working hard, I'll put this on record and say this guy can be a Grand Slam champion - not just with me.
Does the lack of depth in our singles worry you?
I think in singles we can definitely improve a lot more. The Spaniards really showed us that. The fact that we are at the top of Asian tennis says a lot but there's a lot of room for improvement.
Do you think the transition from singles to doubles among Indian players is happening a lot quicker these days and is it a step backward?
I think that even when I played, it was doubles and singles at the same time. If you look at Saketh's game, he can play both doubles and singles. I think we've got to keep nurturing our talent. I wouldn't demark it but you've got the give the boys the best opportunities professionally to get better.
Having played with a number of partners over the years, what have you come to understand as the non-negotiable aspects when it comes to doubles and what are the lessons you've learnt?
Honesty, transparency and communication. My partner needs to know that I've always got his back and I need to know that he's got mine. I've learnt lessons to pick better now and make better decisions.
How would you assess our Olympic performance? Could we have done better?
I don't think we fielded the best teams both at the last Olympics and this one. It should have been Sania (Mirza) and me playing the mixed doubles this time. I had won all the Slams I could, what more does a man have to do get picked?
Do you see yourself taking up a coaching role in the Davis Cup side few years from now?
Hundred per cent. I would love to. I was the captain at one point and hope I can get to chance to do so again.
At this stage, what remains unfulfilled for you?
Not a lot. I've got the next two and a half months to sit down and plan with my team the goals we can set. I've been struggling with partners on the tour. So given I get the right partners it would be phenomenal to keep playing well at this age.