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Five standout moments from Leander Paes' career

By Jordaan Sanford

On Wednesday, Leander Paes revealed 2020 will be his final season, and will serve as a "thank you" tour to his fans. "2020 is going to be an emotional one and I look forward to seeing you all out there roaring with me," he wrote.

It's bittersweet news, but the 46-year-old Indian has been on tour since 1991. He will appear in a few tournaments in 2020, as he looks forward to traveling with his team and playing in front of his fans one last time.

Before he bids adieu, here are five noteworthy moments from Paes' career.

1

Paes put himself on the map when he captured both the junior US Open and Wimbledon in 1990. After his success, he returned to his home country of India to a hero's reception. Paes would go on to reach the top spot in the junior rankings that year.

2

At the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Paes became the first Indian to win an individual medal since the wrestler Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav won bronze in 1952. Paes defeated Fernando Meligeni to secure third place and stood alongside gold medalist Andre Agassi and silver medalist Sergi Bruguera.

ATLANTA - AUGUST 3: Tennis men's singles finalist, left, bronze medal winner Leander Paes of India, center, silver medal winner Sergi Bruguera of Spain and, right, gold winner Andre Agassi celebrate during the XXVI Olympic Games at the Stone Mountain Tennis Center on August 3, 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Gary M. Prior/Getty Images)
© Getty Images

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3

In 1996, following his medal finish in Atlanta, Paes received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna medal, the highest sporting honor in his country. The award is given to one individual for the "most outstanding performance in the field of sports over a period of four years."

ATLANTA - AUGUST 1: Leander Paes of India serves to Andre Agassi during the XXVI Olympic Games, tennis men's semi-finals at the Stone Mountain Tennis Center on August 1, 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Pascal Rondeau/Getty Images)
© 1996 Getty Images

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4

Paes became an unstoppable force on the doubles court, winning 18 Grand Slams and 54 titles in total. In 2013, he proved 40s were the new 30s by winning the 2013 US Open doubles title as a newly-minted 40-year-old. He then added four mixed doubles Grand Slams—three in 2015 and the 2016 Roland Garros title (all with Martina Hingis).

5

Paes reached No. 1 in the world in doubles in 1991, and peaked at No. 73 in singles. As one of India's most decorated players, he has competed in 57 Davis Cup ties, compiling a 92-34 over all record. He and Mahesh Bhupathi hold the longest Davis Cup winning streak at 23.

Indian Davis Cup players Leander Paes (L) and Mahesh Bhupati (R) celebrate during the Asia/Oceania Zone Group I Davis Cup second round doubles match against Japan's Takao Suzuki and Satoshi Iwabuchi , in New Delhi on April 12, 2008. Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi put aside their growing differences on Saturday to lift India into the play-offs of the Davis Cup world group for the first time in three years. The former world number one doubles pair defeated Japan's Takao Suzuki and Satoshi Iwabuchi 7-6 (7/2), 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 to hand the hosts a decisive 3-0 lead in the Asia-Oceania group 1 second round tie. AFP PHOTO/Manan VATSYAYANA (Photo credit should read MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP via Getty Images)
© AFP via Getty Images

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"One last roar" is in store for Paes in 2020, which should bring on even more special milestones.