It has been a real struggle

The Hindu  26-04-12                                                        The School Of Power Tennis

 

 

All for one:National tennis champions J. Vishnuvardhan, Suresh Krishna, Saketh Myneni, coach C. V. Nagaraj and P. C. Vignesh at a training session.— PHOTO: V. V. SUBRAHMANYAM

 Three Davis Cuppers and five national champions. Well, that is the remarkable achievement of the School of Power Tennis run by the untiring coach Canjeevaran Venkatrao Nagraj at RRC Grounds in Secunderabad.

And, clearly, 24-year-old Jagadeesan Vishnuvardhan stands tall amongst them by virtue of his consistency.

For the record, Vishnuvardhan (2008), A. S. Suresh Krishna (2010)and Saketh Myneni (2011) were the Senior National Champions while, P. C.Vignesh was the Runner-up in the 2009 edition.

The three Davis Cuppers from this stable were Susheel Narla, Punna Vishal and Vishnuvardhan.

Now, Vishnuvardhan believes that he steps into a difficult and testing crucial phase of transition from the ‘fringe player' status to gaining some sort of permanency in the Indian Davis Cup squad.

“For me, it has been a real struggle in life and in sport for the last five years and only since last two years, things have certainly improved for the good,” says the tall Vishnuvardhan, who was one of the reserves of the Indian Davis Cup squad for the recent encounter against Uzbekistan.

“When I started playing tennis, except Wimbledon, I never knew about any other Grand Slams. As I started competing and winning the age group events, I dreamt of playing for India in Davis Cup,” recalls the soft-spoken Vishnu, who lost the match in the reverse singles tie against Japan in Davis Cup last year but won the hearts of many critics with his striking performance on the tennis courts.

By all means Vishnu was one of those players who struggled to find the right platform after winning the National under-18 title. “That was the phase, when those keen to play in men's circuit had very limited opportunities as the focus was more on international events which were beyond our reach invariably,” he recalls.

What are the grey areas of concern now? “Well, when a Rafael Nadal says that he has to keep improving his fitness levels, it reminds of lesser mortals like us about the significance of staying fit over a longer period of time,” says Vishnu with a big smile.

“I am working a lot with Nagraj Sir (coach) on my defence, as I am essentially a very attacking player. Now, I am trying to master the art of controlling the pace of the game by sharpening my defence,” he pointed out.

Vishnu says the feeling of being close to the ambience of a Davis Cup match is in itself a huge experience. “Being in the company of Leander and Mahesh has helped tremendously as you tend to pick up new tricks every time you run into them. They are such great players and very affable,” he explains.

Vishnu rates his winning the National under-16 title in Hyderabad as the decisive moment in his career. He played the event at the insistence of his coach C V Nagraj, as he was not very keen to play the tournament.

“After winning that National title, I realised that I had the potential to dream big in tennis and truly justified that my coach can spot the potential talent and goal which we players tend to miss clearly,” says the articulate tennis star from Hyderabad.

“Playing in the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games mixed doubles with Sania Mirza and winning the silver medal, and winning the bronze medal for men's team event were clearly the high-points of my career,” he looks back with justifiable pride.

“I was nervous definitely then. But, thanks to Sania and the men's team for their support, it turned out to be a very memorable Asian Games for me,” says Vishnu.

“That Asian Games also provided a huge opportunity of meeting one of my favourites - ace cueist and former World Champion Geet Sethi. I have read a lot of his books and what impressed me the most is his simplicity and the way he made someone like me feel so comfortable in the first meeting itself,” says an excited Vishnuvardhan.

“I hate the wrong calls especially in crunch situations as they take the match away from you. And, you just can't do anything about those calls,” he says with a tinge of seriousness to a query.

An executive in the Human Resources Wing of ONGC and a huge fan of the great Pete Sampras, Vishnuvardhan is clearly in the mood to look ahead. “There is no end to learning. I am aware that this is the most decisive phase of my tennis career and I am willing to go that extra yard in terms oftraining and make a mark by being more consistent,” he says.

“Well, you cannot even think of replacing someone like Mahesh (Bhupathi) and Leander (Paes),” clearly reminding that he has a long way to go.

Staying rooted, aiming high

THE HINU
MARCH,1,2012

Tennis Nagaraj has trained and groomed three Davis Cuppers and a recent national champion

Coach C. V. NagarajPhoto: V. V. SUBRAHMANYAM

He is looking to achieve what no other tennis coach from Andhra Pradesh even dared to think of – win the coveted Dronacharya Award. , t The 51-year-old Canjeevaran Venkatrao Nagaraj, a former junior national player has already the rare distinction of producing three Davis Cuppers – Susheel Narla, Punna Vishal and J. Vishnuvardhan besides five national champions, with the most recently crowned national champion being Mynaneni Saketh.

Everything he does at The School of Power Tennis Academy on the RRC premises in Secunderabad is unique – it doesn't close down after the morning session. The training, under the watchful guidance of Nagaraj, is an on-going process throughout the day with brief breaks.

“I enjoy this job. Honestly, I am just trying to see my players achieve something big which I couldn't as a player in my younger days,” says Nagaraj. A contemporary of the indefatigable Narendranath (former two-times national champion), he quit his HAL job because it did not permit him to dedicate time to the tennis court; now he is thrilled at the way his wards have been performing.

The list of his big achiever trainees is a virtual who's who of India's young generation of players, especially in men's circuit.

“The credit for all these achievements goes to them. I just tell them some practical points to keep improving and they keep trying to be better players,” says the modest tennis coach.

A recipient of Farkunda Ali Khan Award, given by the AP Lawn Tennis Associaton, for the best coach, Nagaraj feels he has still a lot to offer. “My ultimate dream is to win the Dronacharya Award. That is one thing which keeps me motivated,” he says with all honesty. Nagaraj doesn't even bother to travel with the players on the circuit. “I send my support staff by rotation with them. I cannot leave the Academy for I have to take care of so many other talented youngsters,” he explains.

So, far from the madding crowds, this gentleman keeps doing what he simply loves to – coaching.

AP Lawn Tennis coach attains Glory

Rising to the challenge - The Hindu 14-02-2012 , The School Of Power Tennis

NET TRICKS Saketh Myneni. Photo: Sushanta Patronobish

The new national champion Saketh is determined to make it big

He wants to stand tall – not just in terms of height (he is 6 foot, 3 inch) — but in stature too, in Indian tennis. Clearly, Saketh Sai Myneni fresh from being crowned as the new national tennis champion in Kolkata is aiming high. Back in the city after a five-year stint in United States where he combined academics and tennis training, Saketh feels that the atmosphere for sports has changed a lot back home. “This is the big win when you consider I had been consistent right through the championship week,” he looks back at the Kolkata triumph.

This gifted player too has been trained by the dedicated C. V. Nagaraj at the RRC Grounds which also produced the Davis Cupper J. Vishnuvardhan, Suresh Krishna (incidentally the one who lost to Saketh at the final in Kolkata).

The 2005 Junior national champion Saketh is delighted that there is a sea-change in the general sports scenario in the city, as it is no more cricket-centric. “I am really happy that many champions from different disciplines are making a mark now at the national and international level,” he points out. Saketh has decided to focus only on tennis and is not even looking for any job opportunity. This 24-year-old tennis player, who completed his Majors in Finance & Economics in Alabama University, doesn't believe that he will be weighed down by the expectations, especially after his two big titles in the last few weeks – the Futures and the Kolkata Nationals. “As a professional you have to be ready for anything. I always believe that learning is an endless process. There is always a scope for improvement,” feels the enthusiastic new star on the tennis horizon. “Yes, my big serve (often clocking 230 kmph) is the strong point right now and my first love is grass court. But since there are many hard-court tournaments scheduled, I am aware of the importance of being equally good on these surfaces too,” he explains. For someone who admires the former US great Andre Agassi, Saketh is really working hard to be a quality player with the desired all-round game. “I am fortunate to have such a dedicated gentleman like Nagaraj sir. He is more like a mentor to me. Always ensures that my energy levels are high,” were his compliments to his guru.

Powered by pride and passion

Indian Express
13 Feb 2012 


Powered by pride and passion

       The city and by extension, State tennis hasn’t looked this strong in a long time. Of the four finalists in the just-concluded men’s and women’s Senior National Grass Court Championship at Kolkata, three were from Hyderabad.

24-year-old USreturned Saketh Sai Myneni emerged victorious to win his maiden trophy dethroning AS Suresh Krishna, last year’s champ. For 16-year-old Sri Vaishnavi Peddi Reddy, it was hard luck as she went down fighting in three sets to seasoned campaigner Rushmi Chakravarthi in the women’s singles final. Notwithstanding her defeat, the very fact of a strong Hyderabadi presence in finals has once again put the city firmly in the driver’s seat in tennis years after Sania Mirza burst onto the international stage.

“In the past, it was Tamil Nadu which had at least 15 top players.

But it is AP’s time now.

We have tremendous talent here and I’m sure you will see more encouraging results in future,” says Saketh. It was also a proud moment for CV Nagaraj, perhaps one of the most successful coaches in the country. He made a hat-trick of sorts as three of his trainees, J Vishnu Vardhan, Suresh Krishna and now, Saketh won the national title. It could have been four in a row had PC Vignesh not lost out to Aushtosh Singh in the final in 2010.

“This year’s result is a perfect gift for the hard-working coach,” points out Suresh Krishna. Nagaraj’s Power Tennis Academy at the Railway Recreation ground in Secunderabad is a hub for tennis activity. Saketh like Suresh Krishna started his career at this academy as a young kid.

Hailing from Visakhapatnam, this lanky player came to the city to stay with his grandfather in Sainikpuri and learn tennis. He became junior national champion in 2005 before leaving for the US for higher studies at the University of Alabama. From 2006 to 2010, he was pursuing his studies and at the same time honed his skills in tennis. “It helped me become a stronger player, mentally and physically.

I had the opportunity to participate in the inter-collegiate tennis,” recalls Saketh, who on his return immediately came back to Nagaraj last year. The youngster, who has one of the most powerful serves in the game, has himself been methodical in his approach. “I did a lot of research on the game and fitness.

Sport is all about motivation,” points out Saketh, who got his first ATP points by winning the Futures tennis tournament in November last in Chennai.

Nagaraj feels that Saketh’s booming service is a potent weapon.

“He serves at around 230 kmph, easily the fastest in the country,” the proud coach says. So what next for this 6’3 tall young man? “I have to accumulate a good number of points before participating in tough tournaments outside the country,” he replies candidly and hopes to emulate his idol World No 1 Novak Djokovic.

Contrasting wins for Saketh Rushmi,

 The Hindu
February 12, 2012

TENNIS / Saketh  cruises in the men's final; Rushmi takes three hours to regain title

It took all of 57 minutes for Saketh Myneni of Andhra Pradesh to become the new men's National champion, while Rushmi Chakravarthi of Tamil Nadu required a record three hours to regain the women's title after a gap of four years.

The singles finals of the Indian Jute National grass-court tennis at the famed South Club centre-court witnessed contrasting scenes where two generations of tennis talents clashed for supremacy.

While top-seeded Saketh dominated reigning champion and Statemate A.S. Suresh Krishna in the men's final, third-seeded Rushmi prevailed over fourth-seeded Sri Vaishnavi Peddi Reddy of Andhra Pradesh in the women's final.

Rushmi's singles triumph also meant that she annexed a double crown. She had won the women's doubles title on Friday partnering Ankita Raina of Gujarat.

Looking for her sixth National title 34-year-old Rushmi scripted a rare essay of tact and endurance to better the 16-year-old Sri Vaishnavi and realise her dream.

Wealth of experience

Rushmi, who apparently is more into coaching in her newly opened academy in Chennai, dug deep into the wealth of her experience and clambered back from a set deficit to wrest the match from her young and energetic opponent.

Sri Vaishnavi began on a breezy note and opened up a 4-1 lead breaking Rushmi thrice in the first set. Just as Vaishnavi seemed to relax on the advantage, Rushmi stung back.

The seasoned campaigner teased her young opponent with a mix of low slices and deep cross-court returns while inducing the latter to commit errors.

Rushmi levelled the score 5-5 with a late comeback before forcing the tie-breaker. Sri Vaishnavi brought her strong forehand returns to good effect to win the first set tiebreak (7-3) and again ran up a 4-0 lead in the second set breaking Rushmi twice.

Rushmi, showing the temperament of a champion, gradually worked her way back once again just as Sri Vaishnavi seemed to be in a hurry to wrap up the match.

Rushmi salvaged one break in the fifth game and then levelled the breaks in the ninth game when Sri Vaishnavi was serving for the match at 5-3. Rushmi returned with uncanny calm and perfection making her young opponent choke and miss the easiest of returns.

Mental leverage

The second set also went to the tiebreaker, but Rushmi, having gained the mental leverage, levelled the set score winning the tie-break 7-2.

The final set, that lasted 65 minutes, saw a battle of attrition as Sri Vaishnavi played hard to survive while Rushmi went in search of winners.

Rushmi broke Sri Vaishnavi in the fourth game to forge a 3-1 advantage before Sri Vaishnavi broke back in the fifth to level the issue.

Rushmi broke Sri Vaishnavi, who led 40-30, in the 12th game to decide the set 7-5 and complete one of the longest National women's finals in recent times.

“Grass is my favourite surface and I just went out and gave my best today,” said Rushmi after winning her sixth title in nine final appearances.

Smooth ascension

Saketh's ascension to the top was the smoothest among recent champions. The Hyderabad-based player, who returned to the country late last year after playing five years of inter-collegiate tennis in the United States, was just brilliant today.

Never allowing his opponent to break serve, Saketh totally outclassed Suresh Krishna breaking serve once in each of the two sets for a quick victory.

“I wish to compete for a spot in the Indian Davis Cup team and I hope to continue with my form this season,” said 24-year-old Saketh, whose last major title in the country was winning the junior Nationals in Chennai in 2005.

The results (finals):

Women's singles: Rushmi Chakravarthi (TN) bt Sri Vaishnavi Peddi Reddy (AP) 6-7(3), 7-6(2), 7-5.

Men's singles: Saketh Myneni (AP) bt A.S. Suresh Krishna (AP) 6-3, 6-4.Doubles: Mohit Mayur Jayaprakash & Mohamed Fariz (TN) bt Rupesh Roy (Ben) & Christopher Marquis (Mah) 6-3, 6-4.

Three Players From the School of Power Tennis in Semi Finals

February 9, 2012


Defending champion A.S. Suresh Krishna (AP),P.C. Vignesh (AP),Saketh Myneni (AP)PLAYERS  from the school of power tennis in semifinals, Indian Jute National grass-court tennis championship


 Congratulations C.V,Nagraj from the chief coach of  "THE SCHOOL OF POWER TENNIS"