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'Hope Radek will be back soon'

As a back surgery has pushed Radek Stepanek out of action, veteran Indian tennis player Leander Paes is looking for a new partner for some part of the 2013 season. 

Paes had won Australian Open with Czech Stepanek last year to complete his career Slam but their title defence this year fell apart due to latter's injury as they were shocked in the first round by Kevin Anderson and Jonathan Erlich. 

Stepanek underwent a spinal surgery yesterday after withdrawing from next week's Davis Cup tie against Switzerland.

"Radek had spinal surgery yesterday. I have to look for partner for my bread and butter. Hope he (Radek) will be back soon," Paes said after joining the training camp for the Davis Cup tie against South Korea.

'Radek's injury made the Australian Open hard for me'

Paes said Stepanek had the back problem last year itself. 

"He had a tough beginning of the year. We saw the symptoms showing up from the (2012) US Open onwards. Before the Australian Open, Radek pulled out of Brisbane event due to eye infection. 

"We got to Sydney, we won a round and then we had to pull out because of injury. We knew the extent of it, and that's what made Australian Open hard for me," he said.

'I don't have to prove anything now'

Paes said he chose to go ahead with Stepanek at the Australian Open instead of looking for a new partner since he believed in standing by his partners. 

"I had four other partners already to go by. But sometimes you have to stand by your partner. Yes, I did lose 2000 points, and my ranking went down from number 3 to 7 but looking at the bigger picture of the side, I don't have to prove now. 

"I love standing by my partners, hope he will be back. He's recovering and looking to start rehab towards the end of next week," he said.