New Delhi, Oct 7: If there is something magical in the DTA complex this week, it has something to do with 16-year-old Chandigarh lad Sunil Kumar. He is making a rather jaded set of spectators, used to almost nothing happening at the Nationals, sit up and notice, appreciate and hope - that finally, Indian tennis has someone to look forward to.To dub the southpaw as a future contender for international limelight may be presumptuous. But, he is enthusiastic and intense, plays an intelligent game, can be aggressive and is yet, extremely patient when the need arises.Sunil says it is his policy never to give up. An instance in yesterday's game against SK Shivshankar is a case in point. He made an acrobatic dive practically parallel to the ground in an attempt to get to a shot that few others would have attempted - or wanted to. Though he didn't get to the ball, he lay still for a few seconds, got up, smiled and went on playing, and then proceeded to break his older and more experienced opponent.Whenasked if he plans to play more events abroad, he smiles and says, ``You will have to speak to my coach. Kanwaljeet sir will decide.'' He wistfully adds he has not played too many events abroad due to a lack of sponsors. ``It is frustrating. Thoda bura lagta hain (I will bad) when I see others who I beat here go abroad and make points.''Coach Kanwaljeet Singh of the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association - where Sunil is training after shifting from Punwire - is evidently proud of Sunil, but says caution is necessary. ``This is the time to travel and the CLTA is looking into a proposal that I have made. Sponsors may have to be found. But planning is needed as many juniors go into the ITF circuit, come back and do nothing. I think there has to be a mix of playing on the circuit and training every three weeks or so.''Singh wants Sunil to play first in events in south east Asia, get used to playing abroad and gain confidence before playing on the tougher European circuit.Sunil, though India'stop-ranked under-16, has made a conscious decision not to play that level anymore. ``I will play under-18, but will start playing Satellite qualifiers more regularly.''FactfileDate of birth: 4-4-83Training under: CLTA till 1995, then Punwire and now back to CLTACoach: Kanwaljeet SinghUnder-16 ranking: 1Recent wins: Singles title at Asian School Games in September in Jakarta. Beat Chines Yang Tu 6-4, 7-5 in final; Went on an ITF sponsored tour (as India's top junior) this summer in Italy and France. Played five tournaments, all on clay, reaching the pre-quarterfinals in one and a doubles semi-final with S Niazi Khan of Pakistan.Upcoming: Three Satellite qualifiers in October, three ITF grade III and IV events, Senior Nationals (grasscourt in Calcutta early next year).
