J. Vishnu Vardhan broke into the top 100 in the ATP doubles rankings recently to get a chance to play in the qualifying rounds of this year’s Wimbledon championship.
This 30-year-old trainee of the School of Power Tennis Academy, run by C.V. Nagraj who has the rare distinction of producing four Davis Cuppers, said he was much fitter, more hungry for success and was looking to break into the top 60 to get a direct draw in the Grand Slams this year.
“I am delighted to be back in the big league after injury had forced me out of action for close to 18 months before I staged a comeback last April,” said Vishnu in a chat with The Hindu .
“Yes, 2012 was memorable as I had a career-best ranking of No. 160 in doubles and represented India in Olympics. Everything looked good before the injury,” said Vishnu, who won the 2010 Asian Games silver medal in mixed doubles with Sania Mirza.
“However, thanks to my fitness trainer Mohd. Latif, whom I joined in 2015, I am a completely different player now,” he said.
“Fortunately, because of my experience, I had to make only minor changes to my technique as the focus was more on fitness. Now, the training sessions are short, but intense, with emphasis on recovery,” the six-time Davis Cupper said.
The four-time Senior National champion is also grateful to the Telangana IT Minister K.T. Rama Rao and IT secretary Jayesh Ranjan for their “timely financial assistance last year which facilitated me to compete and train abroad and break into the top 100.”
“As always, coach Nagraj sir has been my biggest motivator. Two years ago, I felt I was ageing and thought there was nothing more to achieve after having played in the Inter-continental Games.
“But, it was my coach who kept encouraging me, reminding that I have lot more in me and I owe my current ranking to him,” said Vishnu.
Vishnu, whose idol is Pete Sampras, said that he will be playing in six to seven tournaments before this year’s Wimbledon and hoped to improve his rankings further so that he could be in with a chance to compete in the main draw.
“Well, playing in Wimbledon is the ultimate dream for any tennis player. And, I am no different,” said Vishnu.
