New York, Aug 29: Martina Navratilova was overjoyed to learn her friend and mixed doubles partner Leander Paes does not have a brain tumour and cannot wait to resume their grand slam title-winning partnership. The 46-year-old legend was stunned when India's Paes was hospitalised August 17 with a brain lesion. MRI exams and blood tests to find the cause revealed he suffered from an infection, neurocysticercosis, and not a cancerous tumour.

"Fantastic relief," Navratilova said yesterday. "I was devastated for a few days. It brings things into perspective. We worry about break points and pulled hamstrings and here he is with the possibility of dying within a short time. "That was an eye opener for everybody in the tennis world."

Paes, 30, and Navratilova, 46, won this year's Australian Open and Wimbledon mixed doubles crowns. Because Paes was unable to play here at the US Open, Navratilova decided she would compete only in women's doubles.

"I didn't want to play in case it was something serious. It was just a situation that needed some pause," Navratilova said. "I told him that whenever he comes back that we will play again. Whenever he decides to play again, I'll be playing. Hopefully it will be Australia."

Bureau Report