There have been fairly just a few worldwide tennis tournaments at dwelling within the first quarter of this season, particularly for the boys. Few capitalised on them the best way Ramkumar Ramanathan did, together with his exploits in each singles and doubles.
After successful the doubles titles within the first two Challengers in Chennai and Bengaluru with Saketh Myneni, the 29-year-old Ramkumar shone brilliant within the Pune Challenger, briefly although, by knocking out the champion of the Bengaluru occasion Stefano Napolitano of Italy.
Saketh Myneni and Ramkumar Ramanathan who received the doubles finals on the Chennai Open
| Photograph Credit score:
Ravindran R
Later, after serving to his employer Indian Oil to a bunch of medals in particular person and workforce occasions within the Petroleum inter-unit occasion, Ramkumar received the singles title in Delhi within the $25,000 ITF match and completed runner-up the following week in Chandigarh.
An amiable individual with a cheerful smile, Ramkumar could have typically been misunderstood, or as some could understand, wrongly projected, however he opted to debate quite a lot of subjects, very frankly.
THE GIST
The Hangzhou Asian Video games doubles silver with Myneni was a giant morale-booster for Ramkumar, particularly after all of the criticism that he was chosen forward of 10 better-ranked gamers
With baby coach Chandrasekaran travelling with him for many of the tournaments, he says he feels at dwelling
The Paris Olympics is not far away and there are just a few who consider Ramkumar will make the most effective accomplice for Bopanna
Momentum again
“I’ve loved the ache and all the things which comes with it, the wins and losses. I really feel my health has picked up and my momentum is again with some good matches within the final six months. God keen, the most effective is but to come back,” mentioned Ramkumar when congratulated for his good work.
Beginning with the Davis Cup tie in opposition to Pakistan in Islamabad, adopted by 4 Challengers, and two ITF occasions, it has been steady tennis for a lot of weeks. Ramkumar, who was ranked a career-best 111 in singles in 2018 and 58 in doubles in 2022, paced himself effectively to shine brilliant from begin to end.
“I’m blissful and have learnt loads over these weeks. I had good wins alongside the best way, and pushed myself to get some matches the final two weeks of singles. I really feel that I could be there on the high once more. I’ve been placing quite a lot of work again in Chennai. I’ve additionally been doing quite a lot of small issues, like holding a guide and noting down factors, reminding myself the best way I need to method each match. It helps me to remain within the current and be higher on courtroom. I’m proud the best way I competed all these eight weeks, regardless of the outcomes. I’ll hold engaged on the factors to enhance,” mentioned Ramkumar.
The end was robust. It may have been two singles titles, however Khumoyun Sultanov of Uzbekistan was capable of beat Ramkumar within the remaining in Chandigarh within the second ITF match.
By no means straightforward
“It’s by no means straightforward to play a degree down, after enjoying the Challengers. I knew that I might have robust matches, and ready myself to struggle for each single level, bodily and mentally.
These two weeks have been a struggle for me. Only a bit disenchanted concerning the outcome within the remaining in opposition to Sultanov. I had many break factors, and 0-30 state of affairs on opponent’s serve. Simply couldn’t capitalise. I’ve famous as to what I may have performed higher. I’m blissful that tennis is coming alongside heading in the right direction. Clearly quite a lot of issues to work for the following occasions,” mentioned Ramkumar, as he put issues in perspective.
Exhilarating expertise
The Challengers, 4 of them in a row in Chennai, Bengaluru, Pune and Delhi, did present quite a lot of cheer for Ramkumar. However earlier than that was the exhilarating expertise of the Davis Cup in Islamabad.
“It was an awesome thought to have the preparatory camp in Delhi for the Davis Cup, and get some rhythm on grass”, mentioned Ramkumar, as he thanked the captain Rohit Rajpal, the coaches and the physios for his or her position in making ready the workforce properly.
India’s Ramkumar Ramanathan throughout the Davis Cup 2024 tennis match between India and Pakistan.
| Photograph Credit score:
FILE PHOTO
It was a thriller for Ramkumar in opposition to the previous conflict horse, Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi. Ramkumar prevailed 6-7(3), 7-6(4), 6-0 within the first rubber in three units. That set the tone for India’s 4-0 triumph within the Davis Cup tie in Pakistan.
Nevertheless, at 3-4 and 15-40 within the second set, it was a tough state of affairs for Ramkumar and the Indian camp. Ramkumar fired 20 aces within the match and wriggled out of the tight nook for a memorable victory, changing 4 of six breakpoints to seal the rubber.
“I don’t suppose that I performed a nasty first set. However Aisam performed clutch on first to win it within the tie-break. Our field was filled with vitality. I felt it and it helped me stick with him and hold it shut. I’m glad that I used to be capable of flip it round and get that important level for India. It was a nail biting match with a lot of feelings. My pricey pal Aisam performed out of the world. All of the Pakistan workforce members have been extraordinarily pleasant. I used to be blissful that tennis united us. Extraordinarily blissful that we received the tie on their soil. Was blissful that I gave an opportunity for Niki Poonacha, to play the ultimate rubber, as he is a good man and has been doing effectively recently. I used to be glad that he acquired his first win. Sriram Balaji additionally performed his half and naturally, Yuki Bhambri and Saketh Myneni acquired us dwelling safely with the doubles. Total, a superb workforce effort,” mentioned Ramkumar.
After the emotional excessive, it was again to the professional circuit and Ramkumar tuned himself for the aggressive grind.
“As quickly as I completed Davis Cup in Pakistan, I needed to fly on to Chennai for the singles match the following day. So, I ready as a lot as I may, however couldn’t get the job performed in opposition to my Spanish opponent Roca Batalla.
“We practice on the identical membership in Barcelona. I used to be unhappy after singles. However I used to be blissful that me and Saketh fought onerous and received the doubles title. Was blissful getting a few good wins in singles within the Bengaluru Challenger. Fought onerous and the reward got here. My degree was good, and I had an opportunity within the quarterfinals. However, due to a couple unhealthy line calls, I misplaced the quarterfinals in an in depth match. Me and Sake received the doubles once more, which was nice. Received to Pune on Monday, and performed a implausible match in opposition to Stefano Napolitano, from being a set level down, I received the match in two tie-breaks. I misplaced to the Russian Alexey Zakharov within the second match, though I performed effectively. In doubles, me and Saketh misplaced the semifinals by enjoying a really common match, which we may have received,” mentioned Ramkumar as he jogged by his reminiscence.
The fourth Challenger in Delhi was onerous to digest. “Once I got here to Delhi, the situations have been fully completely different. I used to be additionally a bit drained, and was struggling to adapt. So, I had a tricky outing in Delhi, which is suitable and no feedback on that”, mentioned Ramkumar.
Fairly thoughtfully, Ramkumar thanked all match Administrators, Hiten Joshi, Sunil Yajaman, Sunder Iyer, Richa Bakshi and the AITA Secretary Common, Anil Dhupar, for giving him the singles wild playing cards “with no questions requested”.
Ramkumar assured that he would proceed to concentrate on his singles sport and hold getting higher.
“I’ve proved myself doing effectively in singles. The main focus will stay on singles and doubles. I like competing. I do know the street forward shouldn’t be straightforward, however it’s potential and I consider in myself, which is a very powerful factor. I’ll put within the work and depart the remainder to the Almighty,” he mentioned.
The Asian Video games doubles silver medal with Saketh Myneni in Hangzhou was a giant morale-booster for Ramkumar, particularly after all of the criticism that he was chosen forward of 10 better-ranked gamers.
“I need to thank God for making me obtain what I did within the Asian Video games. I performed a very good singles match additionally, however misplaced to the eventual runner-up Yosuke Watanuki, in an in depth three-setter. I used to be very blissful that I acquired the possibility to play doubles and much more blissful to win the medal. I consider that all the things occurs for a cause. I used to be there as a result of I deserved to be there. I’m comfortable with criticism. The choice was made by the committee and never me. Prior to now, I used to be increased ranked than others and was excluded. I used to be damage then, however revered the choice of the committee. So, I used to be a bit unhappy, and didn’t prefer it, to see different gamers questioning my choice within the media. It’s prior to now now. Me and Sake performed effectively. We acquired higher with every match. I’ve the medal. It may have been gold and it may have been no medal additionally,” he mentioned.
Finest accomplice
The Olympics in Paris is across the nook. There are just a few who consider that Ramkumar will make the most effective accomplice for Rohan Bopanna for a shot on the medal.
“Bops is an exceptional participant. He is a good instance for all of us, particularly the best way he turned World No. 1 at 43. I’m blissful that I received two of my largest titles with Bops. I’ll cherish all of them my life. I’ve a lot respect for him. I shall be blissful to play Olympics with Bops, and we may very well be very harmful collectively as a pair, as now we have 100% report in ATP occasions. And I’m feeling good with my tennis. I’m positive Bops will agree on this! Jokes aside, it’s Bops’ choice on who he has the most effective shot with on the Olympics. At all times want him effectively no matter his alternative,” mentioned Ramkumar.
Together with his baby coach T. Chandrasekaran travelling for many of his tournaments within the latest spell, Ramkumar was fairly at dwelling, competing at his greatest.
“I’m grateful to have Chandra sir these weeks for the Indian stretch. I’m grateful for his persevering with contribution to my tennis profession. He has been extraordinarily supportive. He retains making me consider that I can get into the top-100 in singles, and retains motivating me from his coronary heart. He is among the foremost cause for me enjoying tennis and has made an enormous contribution to my profession,” mentioned Ramkumar.
For the final two tournaments in Delhi and Chandigarh, Ramkumar had his mom Alagammal and father Ramanathan, taking turns to be with him.
“Mother shocked me by coming to Delhi. It labored out effectively. She was my fortunate allure and the singles title in Delhi shall be particular as I received the match in entrance of her. She ought to come extra typically. I’m grateful and grateful to God that I made her proud,” mentioned Ramkumar.
He’s fairly used to having his father round in occasions. “My dad was having fun with his time in Chandigarh. I gave him just a few coronary heart assaults on approach to the finals! However, had one other optimistic week. It was robust mentally for me as I used to be bodily just a little drained. I pushed myself to the restrict and competed effectively. I used to be blissful to listen to my dad say, ‘Ram you’re enjoying effectively.’ Very not often he says that however he meant it. With out my dad, I wouldn’t be travelling the world and enjoying tennis. From the underside of my coronary heart, I need to thank my Appa and Amma for placing me within the sport, by quite a lot of struggles and sacrifices, within the early days. I nonetheless bear in mind, Appa taking me in a scooter for health at 6 a.m. after which to tennis each day. My sister Uma can also be extraordinarily supportive,” mentioned Ramkumar.
It has been an interesting journey and Ramkumar is eager and energetic so as to add many extra energetic chapters to his tennis profession.
