India's top tennis player Leander Paes is looking for a new doubles partner after his team mate Radek Stepanek underwent a spinal surgery Monday.
"Radek underwent a spinal surgery Monday. Today he is out of the ICU and from next week he will start his rehabilitation. It would take a while for him to get back on track and in the meanwhile I will start looking for a new partner for my bread and butter," said Paes here Tuesday after a training session with his young Davis Cup team mates.
Paes and Stepanek, who were the defending champions, were stunned in straight sets 3-6, 5-7 by South African Kevin Anderson and Israeli Jonathan Erlich in the first round of the Australian Open.
Paes said he was always aware of the extent of Stepanek's injury and also had the opting of changing partner but decided to carry on with the Czech since he made a commitment.
"I was always aware of the extent of his injury. He made a bad start to the year. He pulled out of Brisbane with an eye injury and was struggling in Sydney. But I made a commitment to carry on with him. You don't want to break up with someone with whom you have you have won the same tournament last year," he said.