Playing in Wimbledon has restored belief in my abilities: Raja

Soon after Purav Raja and Divij Sharan booked their place in the main draw of Wimbledon,they walked to the practice courts of the spiritual home of tennis to get a feel of the surroundings.

Soon after Purav Raja and Divij Sharan booked their place in the main draw of Wimbledon,they walked to the practice courts of the spiritual home of tennis to get a feel of the surroundings. While strolling around the practice courts – amazed at the neatly manicured lawns and soaking in the serene conditions – two familiar faces caught Raja’s attention. I went a bit closer and realized it was Djokovic and Nadal. I think that was the moment when it sunk in, Raja recalls.

More than being star-struck,says the 27-year-old,it was the sense of belongingness that was more satisfying. It’s reassuring. We feel like we belong there now. The reason we play tennis is to be at the Grand Slams. That’s the highest point of our sport. There are thousands of players who try that and we are proud to have achieved that, says Raja. People keep saying you need to have belief in your game and skills. This makes you believe in that. And more importantly,it makes you realise you are what you are because of the game. The game has been rather kind to Raja,though. Luck has favoured him. He once made the main draw of an ATP tournament after an injury to the opponent in the second round of the qualifier and then,despite losing his own match later,he went through as a lucky loser. He and Sharan qualified for the main draw of Wimbledon by getting a walkover in the final of the qualifiers. There’s no pun intended,though,when he says he feels ‘gifted’ to be a part of tennis’ oldest tournament. And despite bowing out in the first round,he hopes it’ll act as a springboard for better things in the future. This has given us a lot of confidence and has,in a way,restored the faith in our abilities. Being at a Grand Slam gives you a high that can be bettered only if you win it. We take a lot away from here…just a couple of days ago,we beat guys who are ranked 70 and 75 in the world. It has given us belief, Raja says.

The duo blew away a two-set lead to lose 7-6 (4),6-2,3-6,4-6,4-6 to American Nicholas Monroe and Simon Stadler of Germany in three hours and 15 minutes. The Indians had chances galore but could not cash in on them as 15 of the 19 break-points went begging. Raja says the lack of experience cost them dear but concedes that it was a match they should have won.

We started off really well. We were a break up in the first set,then lost our serve and won the set in a tie-break. We were in a commanding position throughout the second set and won that quite comfortably. A doubles match is often decided on the basis of one service game. We couldn’t hold on to one of our serves in the third set and they won it. Again in the fourth,we played a loose game,which shouldn’t have happened. That’s where the momentum changed. We could feel the match slipping out of our hands and unfortunately,could not stop it, he explains. I don’t think it was pressure. We play against the same guys on regular tour and have beaten them before. Winning points at crucial moments is important and I feel we didn’t quite do that.

But the experience of playing at one of the most fabled sporting venues is something he will cherish for life. One of the enduring charms of playing at the outside courts of Wimbledon is the intimate atmosphere created by the wandering fans while the play is on. Usually,when we play at the Challenger and tour level matches,there are very few people in the stands. Here,it was crazy. The unique thing about playing on the outside courts at Wimbledon is that there are people watching your matches from the stands,and then there are those who just stand at the edge of the court to watch a rally as they shift between courts, he says.

Raja,though,feels the competition is tougher on the Challenger circuit and the ATP Tour. They have had a decent year together,reaching four ATP Challenger finals and winning the title in Kyoto in March. I am adjusting to the normal life again. Apart from the top 30-40 guys,the level is quite same elsewhere. The tough work is done out there at the Challenger and tour-level matches. The Grand Slams are difficult,no doubt,but you’ve to slog you’re way to it. And that journey is more memorable, says Raja,who is currently playing in a Challenger tournament in Braunschweig,Germany. We hope this is a turning point of our careers. Our first aim is accomplished. But we want to ensure this isn’t just a random thing. Our next target is to qualify for the Australian Open. We would like to be a part of US Open as well but it’ll be a bit tough as the open entries for qualifiers are limited compared to Australian Open.

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