Facing a superior opponent on home turf is not a pleasant proposition for any side. But Leander Paes, for one, is viewing it in a different light.
Up against five-time champions Spain in the Davis Cup World Group play-off, the doubles exponent believes it to be a great learning opportunity for the young Indian players to watch the likes of Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer in action.
Paes himself was keen to pick something from Nadal, a former World No 1 and 14-time Grand Slam champion. "To come and watch a 14-time Grand Slam champion is unbelievable.
"For me even now, at this stage of my career, you can come out and watch what Rafa does and learn so much. You can learn about the footwork, about the power, the generation of shots, the follow through, the swing, the rituals after the practice," Paes said.
"Spanish team to me is one of the most professional of teams. I can't say enough of the respect I have for this team, starting with Rafa, one of the greatest. I am lucky I got a chance to play doubles with him (in Paris Masters, 2015)."
For the depleted Indian side, Paes had clear instructions. "You have nothing to lose. You have got us here, and we are proud of that. Most people worry about winning or losing, but at end of the day you need to keep improving," said Paes, who is tied with Italian great Nicola Pietrangeli on 42 doubles wins in Davis Cup.
The record, however, isn't the focus for the legend, who is now keen to help the young crop of Indian tennis. "I was first on the court and last to leave. More than talk it's the action. My volley is not bad but I am still working on that with my coach. I pushed the youngsters hard on the court in practice, my job is to nurture them." Paes also felt holding the tie under floodlights was a "smart decision."
"You always have to look after your own strengths. During the Korea tie, three of the four singles players were lying on the ground. In the last two months, Saketh has played two five-setters and in both he had cramps. To Play Rafa and David Ferrer in middle of the day, they are known marathon men of tennis, is difficult."
Coach Anand Amritraj, who had earlier objected to the matches under floodlights, said on Tuesday he had changed his mind in the last three days. "Now with Rohan Bopanna not playing, there will be burden on Saketh, so the 5.00 pm start would be a good option."
Sumit Nagal, who would be making his Davis Cup debut, was excited at the opportunity. "It is an important tie for us and I hope I can play my part."
![]( "Leander Paes. DH file photo")
Facing a superior opponent on home turf is not a pleasant proposition for any side. But Leander Paes, for one, is viewing it in a different light.
Up against five-time champions Spain in the Davis Cup World Group play-off, the doubles exponent believes it to be a great learning opportunity for the young Indian players to watch the likes of Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer in action.
Paes himself was keen to pick something from Nadal, a former World No 1 and 14-time Grand Slam champion. "To come and watch a 14-time Grand Slam champion is unbelievable.
"For me even now, at this stage of my career, you can come out and watch what Rafa does and learn so much. You can learn about the footwork, about the power, the generation of shots, the follow through, the swing, the rituals after the practice,” Paes said.
"Spanish team to me is one of the most professional of teams. I can’t say enough of the respect I have for this team, starting with Rafa, one of the greatest. I am lucky I got a chance to play doubles with him (in Paris Masters, 2015).”
For the depleted Indian side, Paes had clear instructions. "You have nothing to lose. You have got us here, and we are proud of that. Most people worry about winning or losing, but at end of the day you need to keep improving,” said Paes, who is tied with Italian great Nicola Pietrangeli on 42 doubles wins in Davis Cup.
The record, however, isn’t the focus for the legend, who is now keen to help the young crop of Indian tennis. "I was first on the court and last to leave. More than talk it’s the action. My volley is not bad but I am still working on that with my coach. I pushed the youngsters hard on the court in practice, my job is to nurture them.” Paes also felt holding the tie under floodlights was a "smart decision.”
"You always have to look after your own strengths. During the Korea tie, three of the four singles players were lying on the ground. In the last two months, Saketh has played two five-setters and in both he had cramps. To Play Rafa and David Ferrer in middle of the day, they are known marathon men of tennis, is difficult.”
Coach Anand Amritraj, who had earlier objected to the matches under floodlights, said on Tuesday he had changed his mind in the last three days. "Now with Rohan Bopanna not playing, there will be burden on Saketh, so the 5.00 pm start would be a good option.”
Sumit Nagal, who would be making his Davis Cup debut, was excited at the opportunity. "It is an important tie for us and I hope I can play my part.”
Up against five-time champions Spain in the Davis Cup World Group play-off, the doubles exponent believes it to be a great learning opportunity for the young Indian players to watch the likes of Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer in action.
Paes himself was keen to pick something from Nadal, a former World No 1 and 14-time Grand Slam champion. "To come and watch a 14-time Grand Slam champion is unbelievable.
"For me even now, at this stage of my career, you can come out and watch what Rafa does and learn so much. You can learn about the footwork, about the power, the generation of shots, the follow through, the swing, the rituals after the practice," Paes said.
"Spanish team to me is one of the most professional of teams. I can't say enough of the respect I have for this team, starting with Rafa, one of the greatest. I am lucky I got a chance to play doubles with him (in Paris Masters, 2015)."
For the depleted Indian side, Paes had clear instructions. "You have nothing to lose. You have got us here, and we are proud of that. Most people worry about winning or losing, but at end of the day you need to keep improving," said Paes, who is tied with Italian great Nicola Pietrangeli on 42 doubles wins in Davis Cup.
The record, however, isn't the focus for the legend, who is now keen to help the young crop of Indian tennis. "I was first on the court and last to leave. More than talk it's the action. My volley is not bad but I am still working on that with my coach. I pushed the youngsters hard on the court in practice, my job is to nurture them." Paes also felt holding the tie under floodlights was a "smart decision."
"You always have to look after your own strengths. During the Korea tie, three of the four singles players were lying on the ground. In the last two months, Saketh has played two five-setters and in both he had cramps. To Play Rafa and David Ferrer in middle of the day, they are known marathon men of tennis, is difficult."
Coach Anand Amritraj, who had earlier objected to the matches under floodlights, said on Tuesday he had changed his mind in the last three days. "Now with Rohan Bopanna not playing, there will be burden on Saketh, so the 5.00 pm start would be a good option."
Sumit Nagal, who would be making his Davis Cup debut, was excited at the opportunity. "It is an important tie for us and I hope I can play my part."
Facing a superior opponent on home turf is not a pleasant proposition for any side. But Leander Paes, for one, is viewing it in a different light. Up against five-time champions Spain in the Davis Cup World Group play-off, the doubles exponent believes it to be a great learning opportunity for the young Indian players to watch the likes of Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer in action.
Paes himself was keen to pick something from Nadal, a former World No 1 and 14-time Grand Slam champion. "To come and watch a 14-time Grand Slam champion is unbelievable.
"For me even now, at this stage of my career, you can come out and watch what Rafa does and learn so much. You can learn about the footwork, about the power, the generation of shots, the follow through, the swing, the rituals after the practice,” Paes said.
"Spanish team to me is one of the most professional of teams. I can’t say enough of the respect I have for this team, starting with Rafa, one of the greatest. I am lucky I got a chance to play doubles with him (in Paris Masters, 2015).”
For the depleted Indian side, Paes had clear instructions. "You have nothing to lose. You have got us here, and we are proud of that. Most people worry about winning or losing, but at end of the day you need to keep improving,” said Paes, who is tied with Italian great Nicola Pietrangeli on 42 doubles wins in Davis Cup.
The record, however, isn’t the focus for the legend, who is now keen to help the young crop of Indian tennis. "I was first on the court and last to leave. More than talk it’s the action. My volley is not bad but I am still working on that with my coach. I pushed the youngsters hard on the court in practice, my job is to nurture them.” Paes also felt holding the tie under floodlights was a "smart decision.”
"You always have to look after your own strengths. During the Korea tie, three of the four singles players were lying on the ground. In the last two months, Saketh has played two five-setters and in both he had cramps. To Play Rafa and David Ferrer in middle of the day, they are known marathon men of tennis, is difficult.”
Coach Anand Amritraj, who had earlier objected to the matches under floodlights, said on Tuesday he had changed his mind in the last three days. "Now with Rohan Bopanna not playing, there will be burden on Saketh, so the 5.00 pm start would be a good option.”
Sumit Nagal, who would be making his Davis Cup debut, was excited at the opportunity. "It is an important tie for us and I hope I can play my part.”