When N. Sriram Balaji stopped defending champion Vishnu Vardhan in the final of the Fenesta Open, the national hard court tennis championship in Delhi earlier this month, he was relieved. This was his first national men’s title.
“Winning the nationals is something special. I always wanted one but did not have the time,” said the 25-year-old from Coimbatore. “It has been six years since I last played the nationals. It was in 2008 and I failed to clear the final hurdle in the singles and went down to V.M. Ranjeet. From there it was a tough climb as I was on and off playing the pro-circuit in a bid to improve my rankings” he added.
Incidentally, Ranjeet turned out to be his doubles partner in the Nationals this year. And, the duo clinched the crown.
Balaji, who trains at the Schuttler-Waske Tennis Academy in Germany, said “The German stint has shaped me into a proper tennis player. They taught me how to be intense on court and do the damage for my opponents. Also their thinking is more professional.”
His initial days in Germany were none too comfortable. “I was confused and I missed home. I used to Skype a lot to stay connected. Life was tough but I hung on. Today, the training has given me the desired results and Germany has become my second home. Also, I have lots of friends out there.” He adds, “I have grown up and I am in a period where right now I need to focus on my career. My dad and mom mean the world to me but they understand my passion and my dream.”
Balaji’s mother travelled with him till he was 15. “Tennis is a very expensive sport. And, coming from a middle-class family and taking a firm decision to play the sport is something. My parents sacrificed a lot for my career. They supported me all the way. Now, I am on my own. I play club matches and have also learnt to take care of my expenses.”
Currently, Balaji spends close to 15 weeks training in Germany and tests his skills the rest of the year playing in tournaments in Asia.
“We have lots of tournaments these days and it is feasible as well. Even the Europeans have started travelling to Asia,” said the national star. “They find playing in Asia cheaper and still get the same number of points and prize money,” said Balaji.
Balaji idolises Roger Federer. “Federer makes tennis look easy. I go to the net like Federer when opportunities come my way. But every player has his own individual characteristics. On court, I am intense but, off it, I am a quiet personality,” he added.
Balaji has six ITF Futures singles and 29 doubles titles in his kitty. Balaji wants to play more of the Challengers this year. “I have two — in Pune (October 26) and Thailand (November 2). But, I want to take it step by step.”
The young Indian was ranked 309 at the international level but has now dropped to 422. “I did not play for over three months because of a back injury. I was taking treatment both in India and in Germany. I have come out of it and am raring to go,” he said.“Over the next couple of years, I know I will be among the top 200. I was also ranked 180 in doubles last year. My coaches in Germany feel that I can climb up to 50.”
Balaji has his eyes firmly set on doubles. “A doubles career is longer. I am focussing a bit more on it because I feel it is best suited for me. I have good volleys at the net and also some big serves, which makes life difficult for the opponent. Also, I have more knowledge to gauge the game better in doubles than in singles.”
He has turned to Vishnu Vardhan to strike the right chord. “We have similar game styles. We complement each other and have won three Futures title.” But Balaji’s ultimate dream is to play for India in the Davis Cup. “It is not far from my reach.”
