Skipped NZ tie as to give chance to youngsters, says Leander Paes

New Delhi Indias Davis Cup legend Leander Paes yesterday made it clear that he opted to play World Team Tennis during Indias last tie against New Zealand in order togive youngsters a chance to prepare for the bigger battles ahead of themLeander PaesDavis Cup is something very important to me Its not like I am not prepared to put myself forward for the team It is a conscious decision that I made Look in the last few years I have let the youngsters play in Asian zone I am 42 I belive that young one should come and take me out of my job Paes told mediapersons after his first practice session ahead of the World Group PlayOff against Czech RepublicPaes who won the US Open mixed doubles title with Martina Hingis last week joined the team yesterday The veteran star was asked the question in reference tononplaying captain Anand Amritrajs answer that he felt bad for Saketh Myneni who had played in the last tie against New Zealand at ChristchurchIf I keep playing all the ties that we should win comfortably then I can play for the next four to five years Its about nurturing the youngsters As they get better and better improve their ranking out me out of my job the 42yearold stars winner of 19 Grand Slam titles saidAbout the tie against Czech Republic Paes feels that the side with control of first set might go on to win their matches After hitting with partner Rohan Bopanna for about an hour in the evening he concluded that the court is quite slow the ball is jumping so players should be ready for long ralliesPhysicial fitness will be a huge factor in this tie Itiquests eight in the evening it is so humid if you come out at noon or in afive set match in Delhi heat the physicality of this tie will be phenomenal Its not best of three The court is playing really slow the ball is jumping Paes saidPaes who has vast experience of playing and winning tough matches also had a word of advise for the Indian players The obvious part is the fluid the rest getting then body ready but also look after diet stretching and recovering What is going to be tested that rallies are going to be long and whoever wins the first set controls the first set will do well he saidLeander said even if at this age he was able to win the Grand Slams it was due to discipline He won three mixed doubles titles except French Open which he did not play 2015 has been a hard year due to turmoil in personal life but tennis was goodWining three Grand Slams in a year is phenomenal specially doing it after being on road for 25 years Is is really special It is about the sense of discipline and having a great team behind me Paes who is battling a court case for the custody of her daughter saidPaes said Somdev and Yuki were capable of winning against their Czech opponents He said he followed the New Zealand tie and they did a great job there but reminded that conditions will be too tough in Delhi In sport margins are very small It could be just one shot not one rally or a set The conditions are going to bebenefiting the team which is better mentally and physically he saidTalking about Radek Stepanek with whom he has won two Grand Slams Paes said the doubles match against him will be very tough Radek is one of my dear friends He is an athlete I have tremendous respect for To welcome Radek to India is special to me Quality of tennis on Saturday is going to be very highHe wil be coming out in full force to get scalp of me in my own country I am going to be ready for that Paes said he was eyeing not only mens doubles but alsomixed doubles at the Rio Olympic Games but more importantly he wants to stay fit and prepare wellPreparations for Rio are going well I won three Grand Slams on the trot a bit short of winning all four and that would have been unbelievable year Playing with Rohan in September showed we can produce results Rio will be on hard courts a surface both of us are very comfortableI have already won one Olympic medal in singles and if I can add one more to that it would be fantastic said Paes More important is to get to Rio in 100 percentconditions Everybody is talking about who will be playing but for me preparation is important he said