"Merry Christmas everyone! Here's wishing all of you and your families a fabulous year ahead filled with health, happiness and excitement. This being said, I want to announce 2020 as my farewell year as a pro tennis player," said the 46-year-old.
Paes' professional career began in 1991 which means that 2020 would mark his 30th year on the tour. He has been the face of Indian tennis for much of this time and has gone on to be recognised as one of the greatest doubles players of all time. He has won 18 Grand Slam titles -- eight in men's doubles and 10 in mixed doubles.
He has won a total of 66 professional titles and a bronze in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics in men's singles. He is also the first Indian and the only tennis player to have participated in seven Olympic Games.
In an interview to Sportstar a couple of months ago, the 46-year-old had indicated that he will continue chasing his dreams till the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Paes most recently played for the Indian Davis Cup team in their victory against Pakistan. He had won a record 44th doubles match in that tie. The 46 years old Indian athlete represented India at the Davis Cup this year, notching up his 44th doubles win, partnering debutant Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan, as India routed Pakistan 4-0.
In late 90s, Paes formed a formidable doubles duo with Mahesh Bhupathi and Indian pair went on to become the top ranked pair in the world.
"I am looking forward to the 2020 tennis calendar where I will be playing a few select tournaments, travelling with my team and celebrating with all my friends and fans around the world. It is all of you who have inspired me to become me and I want to take this year to say "Thank you" to you," he said in an emotional post on social media with a hashtag #OneLastRoar.
Watch this exclusive interview of Leander Paes with ABP News:
Here are some of Leander Paes' achievements:
- 18 Grand Slam title winner in doubles and mixed doubles
- Olympic Bronze medalist in 1996
- 7 Asian Games medals including 5 golds
- 1 medal in Commonwealth Games
- One of India's all time greatest athletes
- Calls it a day after 3-decade long professional career
Paes is targeting to be the only tennis player in the history of the sport to play eight successive Olympics. In a career spanning nearly three decades, during which he also overcame a brain tumour, Tokyo Olympics (provided he qualifies) is expected to be his swansong.
He is the only tennis player from the country to have won a singles Olympic medal as he grabbed a historic bronze at the 1996 Atlanta Games, beating Argentina’s Fernando Meligeni in the play-off.