Nadal to partner Paes in Paris Masters

“Looking forward to playing with champion @RafaelNadal at the #Parismasters this coming week… #Legend,” 42-year-old Paes tweeted the announcement.

Former doubles world No.1 Paes won mixed doubles grand slam titles at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open with Swiss ace Martina Hingis this year, but has had fleeting success in men’s doubles on the Tour, winning only one title although he paired up with nine different partners during the season.

The Indian and his Polish partner Lukasz Kubot lost in straight sets in the second round of the Valencia Open on Thursday, and Paes did not get past the pre-quarterfinals in the preceding four Tour events.

Nadal is a 14-time grand slam singles winner, and the left-hander has been struggling with injury this season. Nadal’s previous doubles appearance on the Tour came at the ongoing Swiss Indoors in Basel where he partnered Marc Lopez, and the pair lost in the quarterfinals.