Reaching top 50 is his ambition

Ritwik says that he never really had any coach although Akshay Joshi gave him a lot of tips on the game. Presently, he trains with Arjan Singh at the Dhaula Kuan Army Club courts.

The tall and well-built Ritwik started participating in the Nationals since 1993, in the under-14 age group where he reached the semifinals. Two years later, playing in the under-16 category at the Dehra Dun Nationals, he finished runner-up. And the last three years (1996-98) he has been making a wave in the Under-19 section. The last two years (1997, 1998) he has been the champion in the section.

And the ruthless manner in which he annihilated his opponents en route to retaining his crown said everything about the seriousness with which Ritwik, who turns 20 on Wednesday (October 14), plays the game. In his final against Bikram Uberoi of Mumbai in last week’s Nationals at the Delhi Gymkhana Club here, Ritwik led by two games and was down 3-7 in the third. Any other player would have given up that particular game to concentrate on the next. But Ritwik is made of sterner stuff. He was not willing to give up easily. And the manner in which he fought against all odds to turn the table against his opponent and win the game and the match was remarkable.

At the senior level, Ritwik has gone as far as the semifinals.

He has already participated in a number of international tournaments and got much exposure against some of the best players in the world. He has played in the World Junior tournament in the United Kingdom and the Asian Championships in Kuala Lumpur where he was the third seed.

“Although there is not much money in the game, I am lucky to have got sponsors for my participation in major tournaments,” he admits. He has been sponsored by Nike and Durlabji, a keen squash follower from Jaipur.

Which one of his two junior (Under-19) titles he cherishes most?
Without hesitation, he says, “Last year’s, of course.” The reason is quite obvious. “That was my first National title”.

His ambition in life?
Ritwik Bhattacharya, who is presently ranked 169 in men’s rankings, is working hard to get into the `top 50 bracket.’ “I give myself two more years to get into the top 50. I know the competition at the professional level is very high and tough,” Ritwik, who practises three hours daily at the Dhaula Kuan Army Club courts, admits.

Does he have any idol, someone in the game on whom he has modelled himself?
No, is his answer. “Among the foreigners, I like Jonathan Power’s game. He is talented. But I have my own style of play”.