Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi: On ‘Break Point’ and life coming full circle

The duo on reliving the highs and lows of their tennis journey in a docu-series, and why despite their differences, they will always be there for each other

It was the summer of 1999. The nation was submerged in the overwhelming din of the cricket world cup, but two 20-year-olds were patiently scaling hitherto unseen summits in tennis. Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi became the first Indian pair to win a Grand Slam title and for the country’s tennis fans long starved of a hero, they got not one, but two — “Lee-Hesh.” It was a moment enough to move even the most incurable of cynics.

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But nothing prepares you for the Everest-today-abyss-tomorrow motif as well as sport does. As quick as a wink, a glorious present and bright future could become a distant past. For the ‘Indian Express’ that went on to lift two more Grand Slam titles, including Wimbledon, there was simmering discontent beneath the winning partnership. Since then, much dirty linen has been washed in public, all leading to an unsavoury divorce. At the speed and venom of a perfect ace, Indian tennis was split wide open.