Paes 'blacked out at Wimbledon'

Paes and Navratlilova were popular winners at this year's Wimbledon

Leander Paes has described the moment he first noticed symptoms of the brain infection which hospitalised him in August.

Paes, who has now returned home to India to recuperate, said he blacked out during the mixed doubles quarter-final at Wimbledon, where he was playing with Martina Navratilova.

"I actually came up to hit a smash and when I landed on the ground, something must have shaken inside my brain because I lost all sight. I lost all control of my balance and I was falling down," he said.

"I caught Martina and I tried to hold her for stability. That was the first time that had occurred."

Paes and Navratilova went on to win the mixed doubles trophy but the Indian was admitted to a hospital in Florida a month later amid fears he was suffering from a brain tumour.

Tests later revealed he had contracted a parasitic infection.

The former doubles world number one was immediately ruled out of action for the rest of the season, but Paes said on Wednesday he was hoping to return to training before the end of the year.

"I am feeling better and hope to come back to the court within two to three weeks," said Paes.

In the course of his career Paes, who is a hero in his native Calcutta, has won 27 men's doubles titles.

They include the 1999 and 2001 French Open and the 1999 Wimbledon, all of which were won with long-time partner Mahesh Bhupathi.