“I wish I were re-born today for there is such an excellent support system in place for tennis and there are so many sponsors around for performing athletes,” said Nirupama Vaidyanathan, who was a trend-setter in women’s tennis in India by becoming the first-ever Indian woman to get past a first round in a Grand Slam (1998 Australian Open).
Nirupama conducted a ‘Master class’ at the NVK Tennis Academy on Wednesday at the initiative of former Davis Cupper S. Vasudeva Reddy and former national champion S. Narendranath who runs the academy.
“Things look so good with so many improvements in different areas — be it on the tennis court or off it. Definitely, 100 per cent I would have been a different player if I were to belong to this era,” said the smiling champion.
“To be a good tennis player, it takes at least eight years. It will be a long battle with a very steep learning curve. You have to be really patient to be one or else, this is not the sport you should take up,” started the 38-year-old Nirupama. Reflecting on her own career, the 1998 Asian Games mixed doubles bronze medallist (partnering Mahesh Bhupathi) says that it is the passion for the sport that matters a lot.
“I can tell from my experience that at the age of 17, I was all alone in Europe when things were so different and there were no communication gadgets. When I look back, I think it is a miracle that I survived my stint, which meant 35 weeks of playing in a year,” she said.
No response to proposalHow does the future look for the sport and women’s tennis in particular in India?
“There has always been plenty of talent. Here, I would like to remind that I submitted a proposal to the AITA with a suggestion to pick the best two juniors from each State and put them up in a National Tennis Centre with a common coach for a long-term training programme. But nothing happened,” she lamented.
“I feel there is a lack of systematic approach. The odd player is coming on his or own with little support from the system. AITA has to put in a lot of efforts,” Nirupama said. “Attitude is the key to success besides talent. A tennis match is not just about winning or losing but playing the best game you can.
