Leander Paes is One of the Best Players of All Time: Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal said that Leander Paes is one of the biggest stars in doubles and one of the best players of all time.

Spain’s Rafael Nadal and India’s Leander Paes pose for photographs during a practice session in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI)

Leander Paes is one of the biggest stars in doubles and one of the best players of all time, said fourteen-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal.

Nadal and Marc Lopez fought off a brave challenge from the Indian duo of Leander Paes and Saketh Myneni in the doubles rubber to hand Spain an unassailable 3-0 lead in their Davis Cup World Group Play-off tie in New Delhi on Saturday.

He (Leander) played a great match. It was so amazing tonight, it is a pleasure to play him here in his country. He is one of the biggest stars of doubles and one of the best player in the history of the sport.

Rafael Nadal

India’s Leander Paes, left, celebrates a point with teammate Saketh Myneni. (Photo: AP)

Nadal and Lopez beat Leander Paes and Saketh Myneni 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-4 in the doubles match.

The Spanish pair, the Olympic champions, were a set and 5-4 down in the second set when they staged a fightback to eventually give Spain an unassailable 3-0 lead in the play-off.

Nadal clarified that it was indeed a stomach bug that forced him to skip the opening singles match against Ramkumar Ramanathan on Friday.

It was not the wrist. Everybody knows my situation I have always been honest about it. My wrist is improving but it still bothers me a little bit. But I am happy with the progress. There is a lot of humidity here and after practice, I had lunch at hotel and I felt I was not feeling perfect to go on court. Feli (Feliciano Lopez) was in perfect condition to go to court so he played.

Rafael Nadal

(With inputs from PTI.)