Sumitpal bags his first national

However,overcoming all odds,the Chandigarh tennis player claimed his first nationals title,the boys’ u -14 title,by beating Vikas Singh 5-7,6-2,8-6 on Saturday. With this,he joined his sister,Prinkle Singh,in the elite company of tennis players from Chandigarh to have won the nationals title. Before this,the players to have won the nationals title were Fatehdeep Singh,Ajay Yadav,Sachin Kumar and Paramveer Bajwa.

“It means a lot to win the nationals title. It is not the national ranking or national series and it is a great news for us. To overcome the weather conditions and emerge winner is a sign if champion,” said Gajendra Singh,Director Coaching of CLTA where Sumitpal trains.

Earlier this year in February,Sumitpal won the doubles title in Empire Meadows National Series tennis tournament in Hyderabad. He could have added the singles title too but he lost in the final.

Last year,Sumitpal had signalled his arrival on the big scene by emerging runner-up in the doubles category in Fenesta National tennis tournament in Delhi.

Sumitpal started off with a bang and was seen as one of the players to carry the fortunes of Chandigarh tennis forward. However,a loss in form and some hastily-taken decisions went against him as Sumitpal once again fell into oblivion. First of all,he shifted base to Harvest Tennis Academy in Jassowal,a decision he regrets.

“However,all those episodes taught me the virtue of patience. In tournaments also,I would try to win points quickly and that would lead to faults. However,I am a better player now,” said the 13-year-old.

He signalled his return to form with the runner-up title at Fenesta and then some AITA Talent Series,Super Series,Championship Series titles last year.

“My aim is to play for Indian Junior Davis Cup team and ITF tournaments. I am working on consistency right now,” said the student of Aashiana School.

It was a decade ago when Sumitpal and his sister Prinkle moved from Jammu to Chandigarh. Initially a roller skater,Sumitpal was drawn towards tennis when one day on the way to Skating Rink in Sector 10 he saw players hitting the balls with a tennis racquet. Soon,he left skating and took to tennis. He showed flashes of brilliance from the beginning and started to rake up titles.

“He is a very talented player and can go far in life,” added Gajendra. Sumit will now return to Chandigarh and after taking rest for few days will focus on winning the Fenesta Nationals.