India’s best to coach India’s brightest?

A firm believer in the benefits of a personal travelling coach, having been deprived of this as a player until she moved to the US, Nirupama said she was looking forward to her first major assignment. ‘‘I’m glad it’s an Indian’’, she said, ‘‘I’ve always wanted Indian tennis to grow.’’

She’s already watched Shikha play a few times. ‘‘She has what I didn’t see among the girls in India. She has the power and the strokes and if she remains dedicated can make it to the Top 25.’’

Shikha could not be contacted in Hobart, where she’s playing a warm-up tournament for the Australian Open qualifiers but her father Mahesh explained the rationale. ‘‘We’ve been running to professionals for short stints, which is good in every way but lacks in terms of tour feedback.’’

Shikha has, of late, trained with Ricky Macy, whose other wards have included Andy Roddick and Jennifer Capriati. He was considered, says Mahesh, but his other commitments and the expense involved ruled him out.

Why Nirupama? ‘‘She’s Indian, been India’s best, played and understands the game on the world level’’, Mahesh says. ‘‘She would be more of a mate than a coach. Which I feel makes a big difference…the personal touch.’’

Shikha’s younger sister Neha is also making rapid strides in the US; she won the prestigious Luxilon Cup Junior Tennis Tournament held at the Nasdaq-100 Open in Miami, Florida. She’s the first player of Indian origin to qualify for a Tier-1 event on the WTA Tour.

The next step in the coaching offer, says Mahesh, will take place when they return to the US and draw out a plan including schedules and professional agreements. Nirupama, he points out, holds an Indian passport and needs to apply for visas accordingly.