Unusually for a top sports star, former wheelchair tennis star Jayant Mistry is currently having a ball in retirement as he helps to serve up two of the biggest tennis competitions this country’s ever seen.
The Loughborough ace was the men’s number one in his sport for 15 years before his retirement in 2007.
But how is it possible to re-gain the buzz of winning 68 career titles including winning two wheelchair doubles titles at Wimbledon?
Well he believes he’s got close by being named the manager for the Paralympic tennis tournament at London 2012 as well as deputy manager for the tennis tournament at the Olympics.
“I’m absolutely over the moon to be here,” he said. “When I stopped playing there was a bit of a gap working doing bits and pieces.
“Then I saw this opportunity to be involved with the games which was a bit of a dream really. It really is a fantastic job.”
It’s a tough one as well. Not only does he have such a top job during the London Olympics where he will be helping the likes of Djokovic, Nadal and Federer, but he’s also responsible for looking after the purpose built Eaton Manor complex that will house the Paralympic event.
It’s the first time a venue has been built specifically for the Paralympics.
“It’s like hosting 26 world championships at once,” Jayant continues. “That’s the way we look at it.
“The next big project is the test events which is what my main focus is on at the minute.
“I love the pressure of overseeing the sports side of things. Being an ex-athlete I can see both sides of the coin.
“I know what the athletes want and I can now see it from the side of the organisers and understand why some things are
“That gives me a lot of credibility and I can back up what I’m saying if athletes have issues.
“There’s going to be issues but we want to focus on the athletes.
“It’s a different kind of pressure for me but it’s very much the same as when I was playing in that I’ve only got one chance to do it right.”
Unfortunately an Olympic medal was missing for Jayant despite a glittering career which saw him named in the top 10 in the world for 12 years running.
“The highlight was Wimbledon in 2004,” he said. “It was the first wheelchair championships to be held their and the emotions of it was just amazing.
“In fact it happened two days before the announcement was made that we were going to get the London Olympics.”
After a busy period helping to oversee the Olympic tournament, the Paralympics themselves will start on August 29 - Jayant’s 44th birthday.
“Just to be involved is phenomenal,” he added. “For this job I’ve moved down to London and now have a flat just outside the Olympic Park.
“Every morning I wake up and from my bedroom window you can see the whole Olympic Park which is very inspiring.”
Courtesy of the Loughborough Echo