Opinion Serving notice

Somehow lost in the euphoria has been Rohan Bopanna,who fought the odds to bring India to within an inch of victory. Yuki Bhambri’s dead rubber win over a seasoned campaigner in Van Der Merwe was also extremely impressive. What was the most impressive however is that the overall victory came without Leander,and without the doubles point,after Mahesh,in obvious pain,had to concede the match.

This victory isn’t a flash in the pan. Indian tennis has been upwardly mobile for a while now,and the reasons are manifold. First,there has been a sea change in the coaching and training methodology over the last five-seven years,and increasingly more Indian coaches are compliant with,and qualified as international level coaches,as per the International Tennis Federation (ITF) grades and certifications. The All India Tennis Association frequently schedules coaching camps and examinations,and this helps with the grassroots development of the game. Technique and fitness are crucial in tennis,and since coaching standards have improved significantly,the floor levels of basic coaching have become higher. Similarly,training facilities and the skill-sets that the AITA-affiliated trainers possess have vastly improved. A focus on stamina,strength and agility on a sustainable basis,so as to prevent injuries while maximising ability,has resulted in a vast improvement in the overall fitness levels of Indian tennis players.

Today,the average Indian tennis player is stronger,fitter,and hits the ball harder than his or her counterpart would have five or seven years ago. This is telling. Somdev and others who compete at the highest level have not only held their own from a durability standpoint,in fact their fitness levels are exemplary.

Fitness and coaching apart,the biggest advantage an Indian player has today is the international exposure both in terms of ITF tournament schedules in India,as well as the ITF-sanctioned tours that juniors are frequently sent on by the AITA. The paradigm shift in Indian tennis can be traced back to the time when the domestic circuit was scrapped and replaced with an ITF schedule where world-ranking ITF points are there for the asking for Indian players. This was a gift horse in many ways. The conditions in India are conducive to local players performing exceedingly well,helping them earn points that in turn result in world-rankings. Based on the points made in these tournaments,players become eligible for direct entries into tournaments held abroad,significantly boosting their chances of performing well and improving their rankings. Additionally,having a world-ranking gives a university in the US a clear-cut parameter for ability,and makes it easier for Indians today to earn tennis scholarships at American universities and compete at the NCAAs. Somdev is a case in point,and there are others emulating his success.

The funds emanating from the Commonwealth Games sanctions and disbursements have also been put to good use,with camps routinely being held at academies across India,and with nearly 30-40 players being sent for a camp to IMG’s Nick Bolletieri camp in Florida. Also,many players are being funded through these disbursements for tournaments abroad,and it is this exposure that will ensure that Indian players can compete with anyone on a regular and sustainable basis.

The future is bright,and India is once again a force to be reckoned with in tennis,and the timing couldn’t be better.

The writer is a sports attorney

express@expressindia.com