The ace tennis player Leander Paes was the first Indian in 40 years to win an Olympic medal (bronze at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics) and winning the men’s doubles and mixed doubles titles at Wimbledon in 1999 and more. After his recent splits with long time doubles partner Mahesh Bhupathi, is all set to accomplish the Olympics doubles medal this year. He also targets for another Grand Slam doubles title in 2012. It is notable that the ace player has a distinction of achieving 47 ATP Tour doubles titles.

He was speaking at a press meet, ahead of the 2012 Chennai Open which kicks off at Chennai today. He said `I go into the season in two phases. The season is quite long. The first part is the ATP tour which is very long. The players, in fact, need a longer off season.’ He also confirmed his teaming up with the singles top seed Janko Tipsarevic in the doubles main draw for the first time as the number three seed. About his new partner, he said, `Tipsarevic has won a doubles title in Chennai. I am playing with him for the first time. Hope I can get some rhythm with him soon.’

Chennai opens, is the only tournament which enjoys the status of ATP tennis tournament in the country for the last 15 years. The Aircel Chennai Open 2012 is to be held at the SDAT-Nungambakkam Tennis Stadium, Chennai, Tamil Nadu from Monday, January 2. The South Asia's premier ATP World Tour tennis event shall stretch till 8th January 2012. (AarKay)