It's been raining good news for Indian tennis right throughout since the Commonwealth Games.
Started with Somdev Devvarman picking up the individual gold and then going on to repeat the feat at the Guangzhou Asiad by beating Denis Istomin in straight sets. Earlier he teamed up with Sanam Singh to win the doubles gold as well.
With a series of good results in 2011 he's poised to break into the Top 50 for the first time ever. If he manages to do that he'd be the first Indian after Ramesh Krishnan (ranked No.23 in 1985) to be in the elite club.
The evergreen duo of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi touched the No.1 ranking for the first time since 1999. They've had a great run since they joined hands together, again. While they lost the Australian Open final to the Bryan brothers, they've maintained their fine form by 2 ATP tournament wins so far. With a long season ahead the Indian Express are poised to do well and give the Bryan's a run for their money.
The first ever Indian to break into the Top 30 WTA ranking, Sania Mirza has had a good run since returning from a wrist injury that kept her out for most of 2010. A series of first round losses in 2010 put a question mark on her ability to perform as the highest level.
A super comeback in 2011 has dispelled all doubts and she's all set to regain her lost glory as one of the most powerful forehand on the court. Starting the year ranked No.141, she's now at 73. Barring any further injuries she's tipped to enter the Top 50 once again.
A very formidable pair on court, Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi have had fantastic results in 2010. Nicknamed the Indo-Pak Express, the duo reached the final of the US Open and also reached the finals of 5 ATP tournaments winning the title at Johannesburg. They're also known for their 'Stop War Start Tennis' slogan and merchandise for the same in now available for fans across the world. The pair look set to make the cut for the season ending Masters at London.
With Yuki and Sanaa Bhambri making waves in the young boys and girls circuit, the success achieved by these fine sportspersons should encourage many more boys and girls to take up the sport on an long term basis.
Sadly, the downside to the entire feel good story is the All India Tennis Associations (AITA) approach to the game. Run by politicians and bureaucrats the sport will not go much further till such time it is being run by former players. Tennis should perhaps be given the same treatment as Badminton where you have former champions running the game. And the results are there for everyone to see.
Not a single position in the AITA is being held by a former international player when we have had some great champions to choose from. Vijay Amritraj, Ramesh Krishnan, Zeeshan Ali, Karan Rastogi, Nandan Bal to name a few.
The Minister for Sports, Ajay Maken, could make a difference to this setup by inviting these stalwarts to run the game for our country's sake.
Certain steps are necessary to produce champions:
- outline the budget allocated to tennis
- prepare a 5 year roadmap
- build coaching efficiencies
- develop infrastructure and have state of the art academies in each capital city
(more than one in case of metros)
- provide scholarships to deserving youngsters
- yearly stints at coaching academies like the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy or the Barcelona Tennis Academy
- more ATP tournaments in India along the lines of the Chennai Tennis Open
- sponsor 10 best boys and girls for atleast 3 years to make them self sufficient
Perhaps, then we could look at identifying a potential Grand Slam Champion and mentoring them to reach greater heights like a Roger Federer or a Rafael Nadal.
With a series of good results in 2011 he's poised to break into the Top 50 for the first time ever. If he manages to do that he'd be the first Indian after Ramesh Krishnan (ranked No.23 in 1985) to be in the elite club.
A super comeback in 2011 has dispelled all doubts and she's all set to regain her lost glory as one of the most powerful forehand on the court. Starting the year ranked No.141, she's now at 73. Barring any further injuries she's tipped to enter the Top 50 once again.
With Yuki and Sanaa Bhambri making waves in the young boys and girls circuit, the success achieved by these fine sportspersons should encourage many more boys and girls to take up the sport on an long term basis.
Not a single position in the AITA is being held by a former international player when we have had some great champions to choose from. Vijay Amritraj, Ramesh Krishnan, Zeeshan Ali, Karan Rastogi, Nandan Bal to name a few.
The Minister for Sports, Ajay Maken, could make a difference to this setup by inviting these stalwarts to run the game for our country's sake.
Certain steps are necessary to produce champions:
- outline the budget allocated to tennis
- prepare a 5 year roadmap
- build coaching efficiencies
- develop infrastructure and have state of the art academies in each capital city
(more than one in case of metros)
- provide scholarships to deserving youngsters
- yearly stints at coaching academies like the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy or the Barcelona Tennis Academy
- more ATP tournaments in India along the lines of the Chennai Tennis Open
- sponsor 10 best boys and girls for atleast 3 years to make them self sufficient
Perhaps, then we could look at identifying a potential Grand Slam Champion and mentoring them to reach greater heights like a Roger Federer or a Rafael Nadal.
Very well written - we 100% agree with your road map and its happening .
ReplyDeleteThe Hesh Lee duo won their tournament during the World cup and got masked by it. No surprises. Hope Sania repeats an Agassi like come back. Somdev is really a lad to watch out for. Hope he gets to train better and better. Men's international individual tennis scene is fierceful. On the whole need more and more people to take up tennis and keep the Indian flag flying high. Unfortunately no more names in the womens' circuit...no post Sania effect..
ReplyDeleteSomdev Devvarman getting to a 71 ranking is a heartening story and the best thing to happen to Indian tennis in a long long time. This is the first time, after Leander stopped playing singles, that we have a player that is playing singles. For all the "feel-good" factor in doubles, there is a reason doubles and mixed doubles don't get the recognition that singles gets in the world of tennis. No disrespect but if a couple of 35-somethings can be the No.1 in the world and that too within 3 months of playing together, it talks volumes of the depth in doubles. Unfortunately, when Lee-Hesh started winning, our players got lazy and even players with a decent game like Rohan Bopanna took to doubles as it was the easier option. Therefore, it is important to support Somdev and hope he gets some good results and hits the Top-50. His games against Roger and Rafa should have done his confidence a world of good and am hoping he does well.
ReplyDeleteOne of the lines in the article that stuck me as laughable was calling Zeeshan Ali, Karan Rasogi, Nandan Bal "great champions". That is funny and shows a good sense of humour because even these guys wouldn't call themselves that!! Heck.. they are not champions and certainly not great even in the comparitive sense.
Anyway, having said that, Sanjeeve is suggesting that Badminton is run by ex-players but a look at the BAI governing council says it is made up of a bunch of bureaucrats and politicians. Prakash Padukone and Pullela Gopichand are doing their bit but are not running the game in the country. India does not have a culture of sports and neither does it have a system in place. Succesful sportsmen in this country and I am including cricket here, are all inspite of the system, rather than because of it. TO make any change, we should start by spending money. We should learn from the example of England, who had nurtured Andy Murray from the sub-junior levels and see the results today!
I also dont agree with the former players running the game business. Not all can do it. We need committed people. People who dont have any self-interests and who like to give back to the game, aka.. Prakash Padukone, Geet Sethi, Ramesh Krishnan and Gopichand. It would be interesting to see how Lee and Hesh do their bit! If they don't, Indian tennis doesnt have too much hope because, they would be in touch with the current tactics of the game and that should help the younsters more than anything else.
hey. enjoyed reading this. found the piece written in concise,crisp manner . great way to share info with readers who are interested but don't avidly follow the news regarding sports .
ReplyDeleteHey,
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for sharing the information on tennis events..
By the way check out all the upcoming major tennis events information like dates ,results, Schedule , prize money and many more from here:
Brisbane International Tennis 2012 ,
Chennai Open tennis 2012
Australian open 2012