53-year-old Paes was born in West Bengal’s capital city of Kolkata but lived in the southern state of Goa. He has won eight Grand Slam doubles titles and 10 career Grand Slam mixed doubles championships.

His partnership with Indian tennis player Mahesh Bhupati had been dubbed the ‘Indian Express’ by media.

Pictures uploaded to social media by the BJP’s social media handle showed the former sportsman announcing his move with other senior party members at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi.

He thanked Modi and the BJP “family” for nurturing him and giving him the opportunity to serve the country. “I played for 40 years, for my parents and family. Now this new game I have entered is for my country and its youth,” he said.

Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijju welcomed the “champion who has brought pride to the nation.”