Indian tennis’ ageless wonder Leander Paes on Saturday became the most successful doubles player in the history of the Davis Cup as he combined with Rohan Bopanna to not only grab a record 43rd win but also bring the country back in the tie against China on Saturday.
The 44-year-old Paes, making his comeback to the squad, and Bopanna downed a fighting Chinese pair of Mo Xin Gong and Ze Zhang 5-7 7-6(5) 7-6(3) in the do-or-die doubles rubber of the Asia/Oceania Group I tie.
Paes also became the sixth player in ATP World Tour history (since 1973) to record 750 doubles match wins (750-433).

Spanning his long career, Paes has partnered with nearly 120 different players. At age of 16, Paes had made his Davis Cup debut in 1990 alongside Zeeshan Ali, who is now the coach of the squad, and grew into a legend in company of Mahesh Bhupathi, who is now the non-playing captain.
“Lee is just a one-of-a-kind type of guy,” Mark Knowles, former Australian doubles specialist-turned-coach told ATPWorldTour.com. “He has a unique ability to empower his partners and make them reach heights that maybe they didn’t believe they could attain.”
Paes, India’s Davis Cup hero for years, was tied on 42 wins with Italian great Nicola Pietrangeli for long but finally surpassed him, albeit, in a foreign land.
In his illustrious career, Paes weaved the longest unbeaten winning streak of 24 matches in Davis Cup with Bhupathi, with whom he ruled the ATP circuit in late 90s.
The record-breaking win was a long time coming as Paes was kept out of the Davis Cup team in the last year due to differences with Bhupathi over selection and his form. But brought back to the squad, Paes delivered at the Davis Cup stage once again.
The tributes poured in for the veteran star.
Another doubles win for @Leander. When his colleagues are playing in the veterans, he'll be playing in the Slams!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 7, 2018
Well done old man @Leander - you are one stubborn dude! Enjoy this moment, it’s taken a while to get here! 👏👏👏👏💪💪💪
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) April 7, 2018
Congratulations my dearest friend @Leander for creating history and making a new #WorldRecord in Davis cup. Wow Champ India is proud of you.🇮🇳 🙌🏼
— Raj Nayak (@rajcheerfull) April 7, 2018
#Tennis #Legend #Sports #India
@Leander is now the most successful doubles player in Davis Cup history. He partnered Rohan Bopanna to beat China's Mao-Xin Gong and Di Wu in Tianjin on Saturday. His 43rd win in 56 ties for India. 44 and going strong. What a player!
— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) April 7, 2018
Meanwhile the ageless wonder @Leander Paes teams up with Rohan Bopanna to win the Davis Cup doubles rubber against China and to be sole owner of the Davis Cup record for most doubles victories. Well done, Sir!
— G Rajaraman (@g_rajaraman) April 7, 2018
That hug made the occasion even more special @Leander @Maheshbhupathi . Thanks for putting in the country first. Keep it up folks pic.twitter.com/41MWmhbVpI
— India@Sports (@India_AllSports) April 7, 2018
The incredible @Leander becomes the most successful doubles player in the history of the @DavisCup with 43 wins after he teams up with @rohanbopanna to defeat Ze Zhang/Mao Xin Gong of China 5-7 7-6(5) 7-6(3) in a must-win rubber.
— Sameer Shirodkar (@SameerSh29) April 7, 2018
26 years ago I was inspired by him. Now I'm 30 and done with any sport and he is playing still. Wow is the word.
— Samuel gnanadurai (@Samuelgnanadur) April 7, 2018
Forced to play together by AITA, @Leander and Rohan Bopanna win the do-or-die doubles rubber 5-7, 7-6(5) 7-6(3), which means @Leander has become the most successful player in the history of @DavisCup. He has now 43 wins, one more than Nicola Pietrangeli.
— Amanpreet Singh (@amanthejourno) April 7, 2018
Leander is now the most successful player in #daviscup with 43 wins, one more than Nicola Pietrangeli
— anjali banerjee (@anjali_banerjee) April 7, 2018
India's 🇮🇳 pride. #LeanderPaes
It's a WORLD RECORD for @Leander Paes! He becomes the most successful doubles player ever in #DavisCup history. Many congratulations... 👍 pic.twitter.com/A7T2Em8IRA
— Kuldeep Bishnoi (@bishnoikuldeep) April 7, 2018
World record @Leander for most @DavisCup doubles wins #43 in History!!! #Worldrecord #Tennis #Daviscup #India Also Leander reaches @ATPWorldTour doubles win #750 #Legend #Lionheart
— Leander Army (@LeanderArmy) April 7, 2018
There's the @DavisCup record for @Leander! Most successful doubles player in Davis Cup history! Well done, Lee! #DavisCup
— Prashant Paul (@PrashantSport) April 7, 2018
GET IN!!!
— Karn Rateria (@KarnRateria) April 7, 2018
Congratulations @Leander on the world record. Can’t think of a single person who deserves it more. An outstanding athlete and absolute gem of a human being.
“If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster, and treat those two imposters just the same…”