âFloat like a butterfly, sting like a bee,â although this phrase was introduced to us by the all-time great Muhammad Ali, it is also the best way to describe the now 46-year-old Leander Paes - humble in his words, so joyous to talk to, and full of experience at the top level.

I first met the star at a sports award show a couple of years ago. He was being honoured with the âLifetime Achievementâ award for a professional career spanning 29 years. 29 years of winning everything there was to win. 

Eight doubles and ten mixed doubles Grand Slams including the historic 6â7, 6â3, 6â4, 7â6 win with partner Mahesh Bhupathi at the 1999 Wimbledon final and Paes will still greet you with so much warmth and affection and will always be the first to introduce himself, as if the world did not know who he was.

If you get the opportunity to be in the legendâs vicinity when he is talking about his parents and how they created a sense of discipline in his life, consider yourself to be lucky. The way Paes articulates even the smallest of the details of his journey, the way he talks about the most important episodes of his life with a smile on his face will make you admire how unique yet how humble this athlete is.

He may not be the skinniest guy on the court, heâd definitely not be the most athletic either , but the man covered all of it up with his heart. He will burn himself out to chase the farthest of shots. Every point mattered the same to him and nothing seemed to be impossible until the ball bounced twice.

âIn the semis I meet Leander Paes, from India. Heâs a flying jumping bean, a bundle of hyperkinetic energy, with the tourâs quickest hands. Still, heâs never learned to hit a tennis ball. He hits off-speed, hacks, chips, lobs â heâs the Brad of Bombay. Then, behind all his junk, he flies to the net, covers so well that it seems to work. After an hour, you feel as if he hasnât hit one ball cleanly â and yet heâs beating you soundly. Because Iâm prepared, I stay patient, stay calm, and beat Paes 7-6 6-3.â This is how former world No. 1 and all-time great, Andre Agassi described his first encounter with a then 23-year-old Paes in the semi-final of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

âHe hit like maybe 25 drop shots. Thatâs strange. But just because he plays strange doesnât mean itâs not good. Itâs just strange,â Agassi added. 

Iâll never get over this day. Just another boy who believed he could. But it took a LOT more than just belief. Look Dada, now we can finally sit on the same table as two Olympic champions I earned that for you, me, for our people and for our country. It feels GOOD pic.twitter.com/y9AHyM87JZ

It was also during the same tournament that Agassiâs father Mike told Dr Vece Paes (Leanderâs dad): âAmazing. My boy is supposed to play well, but your boy has been playing this week like a Top 4 player.â

Courage and the will to take on the most renowned tennis superstars of the world is what the story of Paesâ career is all about. 

#OneLastRoar pic.twitter.com/WwALCVF5LO

And now that the Calcuttan has decided to have that âone last roarâ before saying goodbye to the sport, there is nothing but immense pride and honour in the hearts of his people. There is no greater way to sign off than this. This is the legacy of Leander Paes, and it is as magnanimous as he is.

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