Leander Paes’ Affair With Mahima Chaudhary Ended Due To Infidelity, ‘He Didn’t Play Fair With Me’

Leander Paes is one of the most successful tennis players in Indian tennis history, as he won 18 doubles titles during his long career. Born to renowned athlete parents, Vece Paes and Jennifer Paes, sports was in Leander’s blood since his birth. At the mere age of 17, Leander won the Wimbledon junior title and became the world No. 1.

Over the years, Leander became the most successful male tennis player in India. In the 1990s, he won an Olympic medal and made his nation proud. He is the only tennis player who has participated in seven Olympic Games from 1992 to 2016. Though Leander Paes is hailed for his immense contributions to the field of sports, his personal life has also drawn significant attention over the years.

Leander Paes dated actress Mahima Chaudhary for three years

Leander Paes was smitten by Bollywood beauty Mahima Chaudhary when he met her for the first time at a party. They were so much in love with each other that she would often accompany him on his foreign trips. She was often spotted at Leander’s match and would cheer for him. The duo dated for three long years.

Mahima Chaudhary accused Leander Paes of cheating on her with Rhea Pillai

Everyone was certain that Leander and Mahima would get married but destiny had other plans. Mahima reportedly caught him cheating on her with Sanjay Dutt’s ex-wife, Rhea Pillai. She even accused Leander of infidelity in one of her interviews. In 2003, Leander and Mahima ended their relationship on a bitter note. In an interview with Miss Malini, she spoke about their breakup and said:

“He may be a good tennis player, but he didn’t play fair with me. It wasn’t really shocking for me when I came to know that he was going around with someone else. But his exit had no impact on my life. In fact, I became more mature as a person.”

Leander Paes’ affair and legal battle with Rhea Pillai

After breaking up with Mahima, Leander’s romantic relationship with former model and Sanjay Dutt’s ex-wife, Rhea Pillai, started making rounds. The two were in a live-in relationship, and rumours had it that Paes got married to Rhea between 2005 and 2008. Leander Paes and his Rhea embraced parenthood with the arrival of their daughter, Aiyana. 

However, in June 2014, Rhea had filed a case against Paes and his father, alleging domestic violence and had demanded the custody of their daughter. In an interview with the Mumbai Mirror, Rhea Pillai spoke about her relationship with Leander Paes and said she was just trying to save her marriage despite all the suffering. She had said:

“Nothing was ever hunky dory. I was just saving my marriage for the sake of my child. I had made peace with myself but there came a point when I decided that we needed to separate. His ego couldn’t accept my decision.”

After years of legal battle between Rhea and Leander, a Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court ordered Leander to pay Rhea a monthly rent of Rs. 50,000, in addition to the monthly maintenance of Rs. 1 lakh, if she chose to leave their shared property. 

Did you know Leander Paes dated Mahima Chaudhary?

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