“CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF INDIAN ” at DSCL Open Nationals in 1999 FOREWORD SANIA MIRZA

It was many years ago, when I played the tournament. It was the most important tournament of the season. I was very young, and played all the events.

One thing I remember very well was winning the doubles National title with . We beat and Sai Jayalakshmy who were the undisputed best team at that time. We were only 14 or 15.

It was an amazing memory for me. It used to be the DSCL National championship. It was always more of a spectacle. Literally, thousands of players used to come for the tournament.

It was one tournament nobody wanted to miss. It was like a festival. Always used to be held over two weeks. The beauty of the tournament was that all age groups used to be held together.

It was one of the best at that time, played on good courts. We could meet all the players from all over the country. All the people associated with tennis assembled. It was very prestigious. It served as a stepping stone to one’s career. If you won the national title, you got selected for the . Sunil Kumar winning it when he was 16 was unforgettable. I hope they make the National championship count the way it used to be in those days.

I remember winning the mixed doubles with . I was 14 at that time, if I remember right. He was also emerging as a good player. It was the first mixed doubles that I had played.

When you see the old photos, of course a lot of memories come gushing. DSCL was so much part of every player’s life. One of the favourite from the players point of view. It used to be very competitive. There used to be another national championship in , on grass.

I think there was a lot of importance attached to the national championship when we were growing up. I am talking about 20 years ago. I am 33 now!

It was the most important event for the players. I hope they do something to bring back the importance for the national championship again. It helped everyone gauge how good you were as a player. Of course, a lot of factors have seen the National championship losing its importance.

I am glad that the suggestion for equal prize money for women was so quickly implemented when I attended the presentation function some years ago. It was the right thing to do.

I think the tournament deserves a little more publicity. When we used to play, the whole country knew about it. MESSAGE FROM VICE PRESIDENT MESSAGE FROM THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MESSAGE FROM CHIEF MINISTER MESSAGE FROM THE SPORTS MINISTER MESSAGE FROM MR ANIL KHANNA

ALL TENNIS ASSOCIATION

S. M. KRISHNA YASHWANT SINHA ANIL K. KHANNA H O N. L I F E P R E S I D E N T S

PRAVEEN MAHAJAN HIRONMOY CHATTERJEE PRESIDENT HON. SECRETARY GENERAL

SUMAN KAPUR ANIL DHUPAR HON. JOINT SECRETARY HON. JOINT SECRETARY

RAKTIM SAIKIA HON. TREASURER

MESSAGE

It is heartening to welcome the 25th edition of the Fenesta Open National Tennis Championship commencing from 30 September to 12 October 2019 at the DLTA Complex. The event brings back very fond memories from its inception and has gone on to evolve as a bigger and better championship over the years.

I convey my heartiest compliments and good wishes to the entire team of DLTA along with the team of Fenesta & DCM Shriram for their commitment, hard work and endeavor towards tennis development in India. Special mention goes to my dear friend Mr. Ajay Sriram , for his vision and commencement of this illustrious tennis journey of the Fenesta Open National Tennis Championships.

This event is much awaited and welcomed annually by the entire tennis fraternity of our country. It is the largest championship on the domestic circuit, spread across age categories of Men, Women, U-18, U-16, & U-14 Boys & Girls.

I am sure the event will create an atmosphere of healthy competition for the players and will provide a healthy tennis feast to the sports fraternity in & India.

I once again convey my best wishes to the organizers and good luck to all the participates for having a memorable and successful championship in 2019.

Best regards,

ANIL K. KHANNA HON.LIFE PRESIDENT

R .K. Khanna Tennis Stadium, Africa Avenue, – 110 029, India Off: + 91-11- 2617 6280-81, 26176283-85, Fax: 91 – 11 – 26173159 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.aitatennis.com MESSAGE FROM MR AJAY S SHRIRAM CHAMPIONS IN THE MAKING 1992 The Beginning of the Tennis Championship was in 1992 at DLTA Stadium under the aegis of All India Tennis Association and was called ‘SHRIRAM OPEN’ as it had open entries. This was the Delhi State Open Championship and led to the beginning of the ‘Nationals’ in 1993.

2 Dr. Bharat Ram, Chairman Emeritus, DCM Ltd. giving trophy to S. Narendra Nath (Runners-Up), Mens Singles, Shriram Open 1992

Shalini Thakur during the final set of the Womens Singles Match, Shriram Open 1992.

Source : DCM Shriram Archives

3 1993 Syed Fazaluddin and Sahiba Chadha emerge the champions

YED FAZALUDDIN HAD BEEN making the waves, but it was the Shriram Open that helped him establish his tennis career. The elder son of Dronacharya awardee football coach Syed Naeemuddin had failed to draw the attention of and Sumant Mishra during the trials to select trainees for the AITA Academy in the Capital. He had lost to Lavnish Chatrath in the national junior championship final on grass in . S It was a remarkable performance by the energetic Fazal as he came through the qualifying rounds and beat a strong field that had quality players like K. G. Ramesh, S. Narendra Nath, Anand Sukumar, Manoj Kumar and Nitin Kirtane apart from several talented youngsters. A stint with coach Akhtar Ali had helped Fazal sharpen his game after he had been kept out of the fray in the Limca junior tournament because of examinations. He had to overcome a back injury that had stopped him from picking up a tennis racquet for two months earlier. In beating Vasudeva Reddy, a trainee of the AITA Academy, 6-0 in the second and final set, Fazal emphasised his immense potential. It was not a surprise that in later years, he went on to represent the country in Davis Cup. In a thriller of a final, Fazal held his nerves when it mattered to emerge a worthy winner. Sahiba Chadha, the only girl to have had training at the BAT Centre in , a stable that had tuned players like , Asif Ismail,

4 Intikhab Ali, Y Sandeep, Vishal Uppal, Jahnvi Parekh and Uzma Khan Winners of Shriram Open Junior Nationals 1993

Gaurav Natekar and Rohit Rajpal, played hard doubles titles. enough to win the women’s title. She, however, Vishaal Uppal won the under-18 title with a could not match Jahnavi Parekh in the under-18 quality fare. He had his chances against Manoj girls final. In fact, the women’s and junior fields Kumar in the men’s event, but was unable to were almost similar. drive home the advantage in the climax. He Rushmi Chakravarthi and Sai Jayalakshmy did mature into a quality player, and went on won the women’s doubles title. In the years to represent the country in Davis Cup and had ahead, they were to make a strong bond that a memorable pairing with Leander Paes in the would see them win numerous international doubles rubber against the Koreans in Delhi a

5 VISHAAL UPPAL

I always looked forward to playing the Fenesta/Shriram nationals. I have had some amazing memories from this event over the years both in triumph, in defeat and injuries. The organising team has always been friendly and welcoming to all players. I have made many good friendships over the years through this event. The event is always run professionally and the whole team works tirelessly and exhaustively to make it a Mr. Anil K. Khanna presenting trophy to Sahiba Chadha (Winner) Womens Singles, Shriram Open 1993 success each year. Can’t thank Mr. Ajay Shriram and the entire team at his organisation enough for their continued support and encouragement of tennis through this event. I wish everyone associated with this event the very best always. I hope this event keeps growing in stature with each passing year. Winning the Fenesta Nationals was always a highlight while growing up. It is the most prestigious national event and winning it really meant a lot. When I was playing then, almost every top player played it so the competition was tough, which made it that much more special and meaningful. Mr Ajay S. Shriram presenting trophy to Syed Fazaluddin, Mens Singles (Winner) I think every player in India Shriram Open 1993 should aspire to win this coveted title and have it in their resume whether as a junior or a senior. 6 few years later. Sandeep, Ajay Ramaswami, Shriranga Sudhakar Intikhab Ali was able to master the under-16 and Jay Patel delighted with their game in the boys field, while the Chennai left-hander Aparna under-14 section to project a bright future. Ravi was impressive in beating local girl Swati Sandeep had the strength of concentration to Rao in three sets in the final. Aparna was to reach outplay Ajay Ramaswami in the final. The trainee the women’s singles semifinals the following of AITA Academy indeed made his coach T. year on grass in the national championship in Chandrasekaran proud. , an event that saw Equally, Uzma Khan gave a hint of what she win his maiden national title. was capable of, by winning the under-14 title A clutch of kids, the eventual champion Y. with ease. She got a walkover from Aparna in

Mr. Ajay S Shriram presenting trophy to K.G Ramesh and Surath Mr. Ajay S Shriram presenting trophy to Uzma Khan (Winner), Narendranath, (Runners-up) Mens Doubles, Shriram Open 1993 Girls U-14 Singles, Shriram Open 1993

The Shriram Open T-Shirts on Sale Nitin Kirtane in action at the DLTA Courts during the Shriram Open 1993 7 Surath Narendranath in action at the DLTA Court during Mens The famous hill of DLTA Complex Singles finals 1993

I have fond memories of the event and I recently was sharing it with my nine year old son who plays and looks quite “interested in the sport. I was down a match point in the qualies and hit a backhand overhead to beat Rajesh Vohra in the last round and ended up winning the tournament. It was a very well run event and it was an honour to have participated in it. My tennis career was good for me. Given the cards and limitations we had , thanks to my father Syed Naeemuddin’s sacrifices and efforts I was able to play Davis Cup for India which was my childhood dream. It’s great to see people still involved with tennis. Living so far away in America, I am not in the know about the quality of events now but I am sure it is being done well. My best wishes to all involved. SYED FAZALUDDIN

the semifinals, but was too good for Hetal Parekh in the final. Hetal was UNDER-18 BOYS: Vishaal Uppal bt perhaps exhausted after her semifinal against Nehal Chopra that she Rajesh Vohra 7-6(8), 7-5. won in the third set tie-break. UNDER-18 GIRLS: Jahnavi Parekh bt Sahiba Chadha 6-3, 6-3. THE RESULTS (FINALS) UNDER-16 BOYS: Initkhab Ali Men: Syed Fazaluddinbt S. Narendra Nath 7-6 (6), 4-6, 7-6 (3); btRohanMalhotra 7-6(4), 7-5. Doubles: Nandan Bal and Rohit Rajpal bt K. G. Ramesh and S. UNDER-16 GIRLS: Aparna Ravi bt Narendra Nath 6-4, 6-4. Swati Rao 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. UNDER-14 BOYS: Y. Sandeep bt Women: Sahiba Chadha bt Shalini Thakur 7-5, 7-6 (4); Doubles: Ajay Ramaswami 6-2, 6-3. Rushmi Chakravarthi and SaiJayalakshmy bt Sohini Kumari and UNDER-14 GIRLS: Uzma Khan bt Shalini Thakur 6-3, 7-6 (1). Hetal Parekh 6-2, 6-1.

8 1994 Vikrant Chadha and Arati Ponnappa take the honours T WAS A TOURNAMENT that got pushed away from 1994. In an attempt to maintain continuity, it was decided to hold the event in February 1995, prior to the national championship in . In the event, the tournament served as a preparatory ground for most. Vikrant Chadha, a trainee of the Britannia Amritraj Tennis (BAT) Centre in Chennai was able to assert himself ahead of the seasoned K. G. Ramesh, cousin of national champion Nirupama Vaidyanathan, who was the best Indian woman tennis player before I Sania Mirza broke into the scene. Wild card Vikrant kept his composure in a thriller of a final as he downed the third seeded Ramesh 7-5 in the third set. It was in stark contrast to the manner in which Vikrant had outplayed R. Manoj Kumar 6-1, 6-2 in the semifinals to give a hint of his potential. Ramesh has always been a tough customer, and a real taskmaster when it came to giving the lessons to the youngsters. The wily pro, with a never say die spirit, Ramesh had wriggled out of the clutches of Akshat Mishra who had held two matchpoints in the quarterfinals, before prevailing 3-6, 7-6 (10), 6-4. The Kirtane cousins, Sandeep and Nitin, were able to show their class in the doubles field as they subdued the talented duo of Vishaal Uppal and Jaideep Shetty in the final after overpowering Manoj Kumar and M. Balachandran 6-1, 6-1 in the semifinals. Vishaal and Jaideep were able to assert their class against Ramesh and Narendra Nath 6-4, 6-2 in the

Mr. Ajay S Shriram with the Winners and Runners-up of the Mens other semifinals. Singles and Doubles, Shriram Open Nationals 1994 It was an anti-climax in the women’s final, as the

9 ARATI PONAPPA NATEKAR

I was training and was going through a bad patch; my career was in a mess. I remember, losing ridiculous matches, first round. Things had to change for the good. It was Shriram Open on grass court. In Indian tennis there was not much sponsorship, other than Shriram. It helped us get some money to travel the circuit. I had lost 4 or 5 finals before that. I won both hard and grass court nationals The trophies at the Shriram Open 1994 one year. I used to remember Shriram Open as one big, long tournament. I remember top-seeded Janaki Krishnamoorthy had to rush back following the one incident. I had a fitness coach VR news of her grandfather’s demise. The second-seeded Arati Ponnappa Beedu. and others used to who had worked her way past the gutsy Archana Venkataraman 6-2, train with him. I was driving back home 3- 6, 6-1 in the semifinals won the trophy without having to get on after one training session. I remember court for the final. Janaki had struggled past Archana’s elder sister, my legs were shivering. Suddenly, the Arthi, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the other semifinals. In doubles, Arati and Janaki signal became red, but I could not stop and continued. The cop stopped me. In gave a walk-over to the Delhi pair of Rohika Hardas and Shalini Thakur. those days we had good media coverage. A bunch of talented boys, Amandeep Singh, Y. Sandeep and So, he recognised me as a player. I think I Manoj Mahadevan were able to showcase their talent as they won the was driving a Maruti 800. He let me go! under-18, 16 and 14 events in the boys section. The talented Rohan In my career, I could have done Saikia was seeded No.1 in the under-14 section, but had no answers to better. The game has given me so much, the second-seeded Manoj as he went down for the loss of four games. including my husband Gaurav Natekar. So, I am happy. I wish I could have In the girls section, third seeded Archana Venkataraman was able to continued for some more time. quell the challenge from the second-seeded Aparna Ravi in three sets What the organisers DCM Shriram in the final. Archana had pulled off a memorable 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-1 win have done is phenomenal. I did watch over Shalini Thakur in the semifinals and thus was thrilled to take her it a couple of years ago. I was impressed challenge to the logical conclusion. In comparison, the left-handed by the professional manner. Hats off Aparna, with an attacking game and a high degree of concentration, to them, they have done it for so many years. It is a great contribution to Indian was however, able to win the under-16 final and assert her No.1 tennis, in today’s time. I have not gone to seeding. Sheethal Goutham was able to show her strong composure the tournament recently, so it is difficult and a steady game as she clinched the honour in the under-14 event to suggest anything. They made equal in a field that had among others Radhika Tulpule, Sonia Shelar and P. prize money, without thinking too much Anujapathi. about it. I hope they continue to support Indian tennis in a big way. Mrs. Vandana A. Shriram presenting trophy to Shailini Thakur Mrs. Vandana Shriram, Mr. Ajay S Shriram and Mr. Vikram S (Winner) Womens Doubles, Shriram Open Tennis Nationals 1994 Shriram at Shriram Open Tennis 1994

Mr. Anil Khanna, Mr. Mantosh Sondhi and Mr. Ajay S Shriram Mr. Rajat Mukherjee escorting Mr. Mantosh Sondhi, Chairman, with all Winners and Runners-up of the Under-18, 16 and 14 DSCL along with Mr. Harish Mehta at Shriram Open Tennis 1994 Boys & Girls categories of Shriram Open

THE RESULTS (FINALS) Shalini Thakur w.o. Arati Ponnappa and Janaki Men: Vikrant Chadha bt K. G. Ramesh 6-4, Krishnamoorthy. 4-6, 7-5; Doubles: Sandeep Kirtane and Nitin Kirtane bt Vishaal Uppal and Jaideep Shetty UNDER-18 BOYS: Amandeep Singh bt Desh Gaurav 7-6 (3), 6-2. Sekhri 6-2, 6-3; Doubles: Vijay Kannan and Mustafa Ghouse bt Kartik Raj and Farhan Ali 5-7, 6-1, 6-3.

Women: Arati Ponnappa w.o. Janaki UNDER-18 GIRLS: Archana Venkataraman bt Krishnamoorthy; Doubles: Rohika Hardas and Aparna Ravi 6-2, 3-6, 6-2; Doubles: Sheethal

11 Mr. Mantosh Sondhi welcoming the audience at the Shriram Open Mrs. Vandana A. Shriram with the winners and runners-up of the Nationals with Mr. Ajay S Shriram and Mr. Anil Khanna Womens Singles and Doubles Shriram Open Nationals, 1994

Mr. Anil Khanna introducing a Tennis player to Mr. Ajay S Shriram Tennis Players at the press-players get-together 1994 at the press players get together, 1994

Goutham and Aparna Suresh bt Pooja Deshmukh and Aparna Srinivasan 6-3, 6-1. UNDER-16 BOYS: Y. Sandeep bt Ajay Ramaswami 6-2, 6-0. UNDER-16 GIRLS: Aparna Ravi bt Shubha Srinivasan 7-5, 6-0. UNDER-14 BOYS: Manoj Mahadevan bt Rohan Saikia 6-2, 6-2. UNDER-14 GIRLS: Sheethal Goutham bt P. Anujapathi 6-4, 6-0.

12 1995 Nitin Kirtane and Archana Venkataraman emphasise their strong will

ITIN KIRTANE BEAT THE fourth member of the Indian Davis Cup squad, Asif Ismail, in a tough final to emphasise that he was the player for the future. The 21-year-old Nitin used the backhand slice with great effect to tease and torment Asif who likes the ball to bounce nicely and come on to this racquet for forceful strokeplay. The left-hander, a trainee of NandanBal at the Batra Centre, Nitin showed that it was possible to make strokes look like potent weapons if one had N the will to fight. It was a creditable fare, considering that it was a quality field with players like Vikrant Chadha, Saurav Panja, Amandeep Singh, Salil Seshadri, Jaideep Shetty, Vasudeva Reddy and Vishaal Uppal in the fray. K. G. Ramesh and Narendra Nath were also present and progressed a lot farther than the youngsters did, emphasising that there was no match for experience against misguided youth. The presence of two players of repute, Janaki Krishnamoorthy, the national hard court champion, and fluent-stroking Arati Ponnappa did not stop the gutsy Archana Venkataraman from bagging the women’s title. Other talented players like Sai Jayalakshmy, Rushmi Chakravarthi, Shuba Srinivasan, Hrushida Kamthe, Uzma Khan and Sadiya Pathan were unable to assert themselves the way Archana eventually did. However, Uzma Khan had the consolation of winning the junior title at the expense of Archana whom she beat 6-0 in the third set. Archana was tired after the women’s final, though she had conceded a mere three games in that, to Rashmi Khanna. Uzma also captured the under-16 title without much fuss.

13 ARCHANA VENKATARAMAN

Fenesta has been great in supporting tennis and is one of the best tournaments in India, it is India’s tennis carnival. Fenesta/ Shriram open is the ultimate tournament in India. It is like winning Wimbledon. Yes, it is the Wimbledon of India. For me, it was such an amazing experience that I don’t have words to Shriram Open Nationals winners: Aman (Boys U18 Singles), Uzma Khan (Girls U-18 Singles), Archana Venkatraman (Women’s Singles) and Nitin describe it. Kirtane (Mens Singles) It had a great impact on my tennis career. Once i performed in the tournament, I became Archana finished runner-up in the women’s doubles along with a known name in the national circuit, a player her elder sister Arthi Venkataraman, against Sai and Janaki. The who was recognised. From being just a player bespectacled P. Anujapathi stopped Sheethal Goutham in the it elevated my position to one of the best in under-14 final, and revealed remarkable reserves of fighting spirit. the country. As far as tennis goes, it had a great She hit the ball with a flourish and enjoyed her game to the hilt, impact on my career,i got selected to represent running down everything. The Madras girl, a student of Church India in SAF games, winning a gold medal for Park Convent, recovered from being close to defeat at 0-6, 2-5 to India. For a sportsperson like me, it was the ultimate. So, I would say it gave me that push record a memorable triumph. DHAITA trainees Amandeep Singh and and made me a player, whom opponents fear. Rohan Wadehra clashed in the under-18 boys final and the former It was one of the most well organised prevailed with his all-round energetic game and higher intensity of tournaments in India. The atmosphere was concentration. These two talented players were to later move to the amazing, so many players gathered together, US for education and career, leaving tennis far behind in their priority the energy was awesome and the atmosphere list. won the under-16 title while Manoj Mahadevan was like a carnival or a music concert, lots won the honour in the under-14 event. Both were a cut above the rest of people and high energy. I coach tennis. and promised to shoulder the responsibility of carrying the country’s I am happy for all that i have achieved and hopes. It was a very satisfactory experience for the organisers to have thankful for all the opportunities I got. It gave conducted events in all the age groups, catering to more than 1000 me so many new experiences and I would say players within a week. The total pursue of nearly ten lakh rupees of tennis has shaped me and given me so much prize money and scholarship funds was a huge attraction for Indian inner strength and a purpose in life. It is truly tennis. The men’s and women’s winners were presented Rs. 40,000 amazing that the DCM Shriram group has stayed with the event for more than 25 years. and Rs. 27,000 respectively. It was a rich purse as money had much You would never know all that you have done better value then. for Indian tennis. The prize money of your The idea was mooted to expand the event to two weeks so that tournament has been great from beginning the players could do justice to their talent in a more leisurely fashion, and i cannot thank you enough for your rather than run through the grind, that was physically taxing and support to players like me. Keep up the great took the freshness away from the mind. work. You have helped immensely, many tennis players, thank you It is an amazing tournament. Thank you!! The Fenesta Open was the most important tournament on “the Indian tennis calendar. All the players including me looked forward to playing this event anxiously. I am happy to be part of this wonderful tournament for so many years. Winning this tournament three times gave me and my tennis career a big boost as all players competed in the Fenesta Nationals. After my victory, I got closer to the ultimate aim of making it to the Indian Davis Cup team. This event carried great significance as doing well and winning it got you closer Shriram Open Mens Singles winner: Nitin Kirtane to representing the country in international events… Doing consistently well in this tournament for so many years kept THE RESULTS (FINALS) my Indian ranking also very high. I used to plan my schedule Men: Nitin Kirtane bt Asif Ismail 7-6 (6), 7-5; around this event so I made sure that I had enough match Doubles: Asif Ismail and Sandeep Kirtane bt practice and good fitness, stayed injury free, before the Nitin Kirtane and Saurav Panja 6-4, 5-7, 6-4. tournament. The event was a very coordinated effort by the organiers led by Ms. Chandni Lamba earlier and then Mr SN Women: Archana Venkataraman bt Rashmi Chatterjee took over. The players were looked after well with Khanna 6-1, 6-2; Doubles: Sai Jayalakshmy the seeded players getting accommodation also. and Janaki Krishnamoorthy bt Archana The DLTA courts were buzzing with tennis mania for Venkataraman and Arthi Venkataraman 6-4, two weeks and it was a mela on show with all players from 7-6 (1). around the country coming to play as qualifying was a open draw. So, everyone wanted to play. UNDER-18 BOYS: Amandeep Singh bt Rohan I am currently employed with Central Railways in Wadehra 6-3, 6-4; Doubles: Shailesh Dhoble Pune, and helping players is a joy for me. I congratulate and Amod Wakalkar bt Ajay Ramaswami and and compliment the DCM Shriram Group for conducting Shriranga Sudhakar 6-4, 6-4. this tournament for 25 years. is very important to sponsor UNDER-18 GIRLS: Uzma khan bt Archana tennis events and this has been the most important one. I Venkataraman 5-7, 6-4, 6-0; Doubles: Ritu congratulate both the AITA and DCM Shriram Group for Sethi and Mabel Abraham bt Nehal Chopra this super event. I am quite satisfied with my tennis career and Aparna Srinivasan 5-7, 6-4, 6-1. although i could have played more tournaments out of the country but due to lack of sponsors i missed out. Whatever UNDER-16 BOYS: Harsh Mankad bt Jay Patel events I managed to play abroad, were on my own. 6-4, 6-3. I also suggest men’s and women’s players be given travel UNDER-16 GIRLS: Uzma Khan bt Aparna and daily allowance. Yes, the tournament offers good prize Srinivasan 6-2, 6-1. in the last few years to the winner runner up. But with today’s cost it will help players a lot to have the allowance. In UNDER-14 BOYS: Manoj Mahadevan bt Nilesh fact, as in the junior circuit, the AITA should think on giving Saldanha 6-4, 6-2. daily allowance to players on AITA pro tour, as it will help in UNDER 14 GIRLS: P. Anujapathi bt Sheethal cutting cost and give players some boost. Goutham 0-6, 7-5, 6-3. Nitin Kirtane

15 1996 Sandeep Kirtane and Jahnavi Parekh power their way to glory T WAS A SEASON IN which tournaments were hardly held as the major sponsor of the Indian circuit had pulled away. The Shriram Open in which the junior events were given the status of the national championship proved a big hit, offering more than ten lakh rupees in prize money and scholarship. Except for Leander Paes who won the Olympic bronze in Atlanta, his doubles partner Mahesh Bhupathi and the talented striker Prahlad Srinath I everybody else who had a name in Indian tennis was present to ensure a strong tournament. By winning the men’s title against the strong young lad Vikrant Chadha, the short-built but sweet-stroking Sandeep Kirtane emphasised that he was still in contention to get a recall into the Indian Davis Cup squad. In doing so, Sandeep also ensured the domination of Kirtanes in the tournament as his cousin Nitin had won the title in the earlier edition. The former Asian junior champion, Sandeep had earlier delightfully hit his way past Davis Cupper Gaurav Natekar. His double-fisted backhands and the flat forehands that often had the opponents rooted to the ground at the baseline were a treat to watch. The biggest upset was provided by the young Vijay Kannan as he knocked out the topseeded Asif Ismail 6-3, 6-0 in the first round. Asif had been disillusioned after being dropped from the Davis Cup squad despite him having worked hard to push his ATP rank to the 400s. He lacked the focus to fight it out.

16 Dignitaries with the winners of Shriram Open Natioanls 1996

Mr. Ajay S Shriram presenting trophy to Akshay Vishal Rao Mr. VP Agarwal, ED and Company Secretary, DSCL presenting (Winner) Boys U-14 Singles Shriram Open Nationals 1996 trophy to Gaurav Natekar (Winner), Mens Doubles, Shriram Open 1996

Gaurav and Vikrant Chadha had the Jahnavi Parekh was a class act in the women’s consolation of winning the doubles title as a face section, though she was stretched to three sets saving exercise. Vikrant Chadha was a Davis Cup by Sai Jayalskhmy in the final. She beat Uzma reserve then and believed to have considerable Khan in the semifinals. Jahnavi with sound potential. He later joined the hundreds of talented strokes on either flank won the junior title as well, Indian players in the US on a tennis scholarship as she beat Archana Venkataraman. and thus could not do justice to his potential in The top-seeded Rushmi Chakravarthi was the professional circuit. unable to live up to her standing, but won the

17 SANDEEP KIRTANE

Winning the Shriram Open Singles title in 1996 was a very special one for me as I was probably playing my best in that phase. It was a very important tittle to win. it was like the third Nationals after the ones on Grass and Hard court. The event had all the importance, as all the top players played. My career was at the peak and I was certainly in the reckoning for a place on the Davis Cup Team. I was happy that I was able to play and prove myself on the big stage. Shriram Open back then was watched by National selectors like the late Shyam Minotra. I have a lot of great memories the people were very warm and enthusiastic as usual.Tournament committee was very encouraging and the following during and about the tournament was superb. Mr. VP Agarwal, ED and Company Secretary, DSCL presenting I have been into coaching for 19 years now. Was also trophy to Sheethal Goutham (Runners-Up), Womens Doubles, playing a bit of doubles after I started working with Shriram Open 1996 and we won the doubles title in 2006 as well. Purav’s career took off to a different level after he won the singles title. I have my own Academy in Pune. Have also worked with players who have won this tittle. Was involved with the Davis Cup Team in 2007. Satisfied and content with my career was an honour to represent India in Asia Cup in 1997 and 1999. Member of the Davis Cup team against Chile (World Group play-off in 1997). Received the Arjuna Award in 2001.Very blessed to have had a great career. The organisers have been truly fantastic, very motivated, encouraging and supportive towards all the players. It is really very special association with tennis for 25 years, and my sincere and best wishes to all at the tournament to continue the magic. All the top players, a lot of former and current Davis Cup players have played in this tournament and I hope this remains a very important tournament in The DLTA Building (1996) the future. If they ever have a Veterans event, it will be special to come back and play. doubles title with Arati Ponnappa. The national hardcourt champion Janaki RADHIKA TULPULE Krishnamoorthy was also not able to save her reputation in a strong field. KANITKAR Amod Wakalkar had sweet revenge over Harsh Mankad in the semifinals of the junior event. Harsh had beaten Amod in the National junior grass First Memory of the tournament court final at Patna and subsequently on the hard courts Amod Wakalkar is checking the dates of the had sweet revenge over Harsh Mankad in the semifinals of the junior event. tournament and making sure I don’t miss it! Harsh had beaten Amod in the National junior grass court final at Patna Just to be in Delhi for the and subsequently on the hard courts as well in Chennai. Amod, a trainee of Shriram Nationals was an honour Nandan Bal, went on to down Rishi Sridhar in three sets to claim a title that really and then having won it he would cherish for ever. He won the doubles title as well with the stylish several times in the juniors is icing left-hander RohanSaikia. on the cake. Ajay Ramaswami and Sheethal Goutham were able to prove that lack of Lot of players from all over the country assembled. Back height was not a handicap as they won the national sub-junior titles. Vijay then, it was a true feeling of it Kannan did his confidence some good by winning the doubles title with being one of the most important Ajay Ramaswami. Sheethal found stiff resistance from Radhika Tulpule and tournament in the calendar, even S. K. Tara but was too good otherwise in winning a doubles as she took the though we might busy playing doubles title as well with Sonia Shelar. on the international circuit. The Punwire trainee, Akshay Vishal Rao, and the Pune lass Radhika This one was THE NATIONALS CHAMPIONSHIPS OF THE Tulpule won the under-14 boys and girls titles respectively, with remarkable COUNTRY! ease and poise. It helped a lot in my career not only from the ranking point THE RESULTS (FINALS) of view. The exposure and the Men: Sandeep Kirtane bt Vikrant Chadha 6-4, 3-6, 6-1; Doubles: mental preparation one would Gaurav Natekar and Vikrant Chadha bt Amod Wakalkar and S. need to be ready for the Nationals is what this tournament taught Narendra Nath 6-0, 7-5. me. It helped me immensely in my career. I mean you prepare Women: Jahnavi Parekh bt Sai Jayalakshmy 5-7, 6-2, 6-2; Doubles: differently for the Nationals, at Rushmi Chakravarthi and Arati Ponnappa bt Sheethal Goutham and least that is what I did ! Sonia Shelar 6-0, 5-7, 6-2. I am grateful to the organisers for supporting this tournament for 25 years, show interest in the UNDER-18 BOYS: Amod Wakalkar bt Rishi Sridhar 3-6, 6-4, 6-2;Doubles: game, help the Indian players Amod Wakalkar and Rohan Saikia bt Harsh Mankad and Amandeep and have faith in them. Most of Singh 6-4, 6-4. the players who have won the UNDER-18 GIRLS: Jahnavi Parekh bt Archana Venkataraman 3-6, 6-0, Shriram Nationals have gone and made the country and 6-0; Doubles: Archana Venkataraman and Uzma Khan bt Aparna the sponsors proud. It is true Srinivasan and Nehal Chopra 6-1, 6-1. dedication on the part of the sponsors to hang on and support us for so so many years. The DCM Shriram Fenesta National tennis tournament was the one I used to look forward to compete, starting “from my under-14 junior years, on to the women’s open category. The Delhi hard-court national has been a great event and fun for me. It was well organised despite the huge number of participants in all age groups and open events. I wish the sponsors and organisers the very best in the years to come. Kudos for having kept up the tournament, running successfully, for so many years.

Winners of the Shriram Open Junior Nationals 1996

UNDER-16 BOYS: Ajay Ramaswami bt Avinash Arun 6-3, 6-4; Doubles: Ajay Ramaswami and Vijay Kannan bt Manoj Mahadevan and Avinash Arun 6-2, 6-1.

UNDER-16 GIRLS: Sheethal Goutham bt Karishma Patel 6-2, 6-1; Doubles: Sheethal Goutham and Sonia Shelar bt Radhika Tulpule and Pooja Deshmukh 7-6 (6), 6-2.

UNDER-14 BOYS: Akshay Vishal Rao bt Mithun Murali 6-3, 6-2; Doubles: Mithun Murali and Benjamin Xavier bt Akshay Vishal Rao and Pathanjali Ravishankar 6-4, 6-2.

UNDER-14 GIRLS: Radhika Tulpule bt SonalPhadke 6-0, 6-0; Doubles: Nona Wagh and Anisha Shelar bt Nikhila Palat and Harsimran Kaur 6-3, 6-4.

20 Mr. Ajay S Shriram giving trophy to Ajay Ramaswami and Vijay Doubles game in action at the Shriram Open Nationals 1996 Kannan (Winners) Boys U-16 Doubles, Shriram Open Nationals 1996

Mr. Ajay S Shriram presenting trophy to Uzma Khan (Winner) Girls Mr. Ajay S Shriram presenting trophy to Sonal Phadke U-18 Doubles Shriram Open Nationals 1996 (Runners-up) Girls U-14 Singles Shriram Open Nationals 1996

Mr. Ajay S Shriram presenting trophy to Radhika Tulpule (Winner) Amod Wakalkar and Jahnavi Parekh Winners U-18 Singles Girls U-14 Singles Shriram Open Nationals 1996 Shriram Open Nationals 1996

21 1997 Asif Ismail and Gaurav Natekar share men’s trophy, Uzma Khan corners glory

HE ORGANISERS HAD not calculated the fighting prowess of the women correctly. In the event, Uzma Khan and Arati Ponnappa fought so hard in the Shriram Open that there was hardly any time left for playing two sets of men’s final between Davis Cuppers Asif Ismail and Gaurav Natekar. The floodlights were inadequate and the men’s title had to be shared. Asif could have sealed it but for floundering at 7-5, 3-0. Gaurav changed the trend T to win the next four games when the light had deteriorated considerably. Referee DushanDeo physically jumped from the fence on to the court, but could not come up with a solution to continue the match on the morrow as the players had finalised their travel plans and were unwilling to change it. Asif had done all the hard work in taming players like Vasudeva Reddy, Vikram Venkataraghavan, Anand Radhakrishnan and Saurav Panja. He had already taken up coaching but was able to prove that he was still good. Among the youngsters, Harsh Mankad had a good chance to make a mark but after adding a third national junior title to his collection in the first week of the tournament, he had to give a walkover in the quarterfinals of the men’s event because of ill-health. While the national grass court champion Nitin Kirtane lost to Saurav Panja in the quarterfinals, his cousin Sandeep Kirtane was unable to defend his title owing to ill health. Other prominent players like Susheel Narla, Prahlad Srinath and Vikrant Chadha were busy abroad. In the women’s event, the tenacious Uzma Khan beat the cream of talent.

22 ASIF ISMAIL There was a sense of belonging. This was the tournament to win. I remember it more as DCM Shriram than Fenesta. I have also played Davis Cup for Hong Kong, I have pictures of me playing the event. It was the singles and doubles in 2003-2004. In 2006, I tournament to be played. It is the same even now. travelled with Sania Mirza from to The prize money is good. When it started, I was Wimbledon for six weeks. I am the Tennis Director about to finish my tennis career. I used to travel with in Hong Kong in a private club, for the last 18 years. a lot of my students. Reaching the final was good Aberdeen Marina Club. for me as a coach, as I was setting a good example Sania Mirza: She was phenomenally talented. for my students. It was the best organised for sure. I Gifted player. That forehand was a huge weapon. remember qualifying draw used to be 128. Maybe, Her timing on the ball was exceptional, since 256. With the juniors, men, ladies. It was splendid the junior days. The sound of the ball hitting the two weeks. It was the nice time of the year. I have racquet was different, coming from her racquet. It played it a few years. showed her potential. There was never any doubt We looked forward to the event. The grass court that she would play big. She has done everyone Nationals used to be in Delhi. It used to be fun. It proud. was always run very well. Dushan Deo used to be She was always a very confident person. Very there, a good soul. Nar Singh is still associated with sure of herself. She always had a positive attitude. it. Great exposure for everyone. That rubbed on her game. She is a very good ball I remember the final. I had warmed up three or striker. It was a great learning experience for me, four times for the match. The women’s final was travelling with her. I could help her with the serve, as going long. Maybe, 7-6, 6-7, 7-5. When we got on serve was a weapon for me. Our association could court, it was late. I think I was 7-5, 4-3, when we had have been longer, and I remember talking to her to stop for bad light. We had our commitments dad Imran Mirza. We worked on her volleys. I will and thus could not play it the next day. I don’t always remember those times. remember floodlights being there. I have two sons. Amaan 18, he is going to join It was a big event, and I was not seeded. Good to New York University. He is more into cricket. have that run. I think Vasudeva Reddy was the top Rehaan is a Special child, 16. Lot more challenges seed and I beat him in the first round. My students in life. It changed our life. It was good in a way that showed that I had the headlines in the newspapers. it made us very strong. Seeing the other side of life. The students were Karan Rastogi, Rohan Gajjar, No regrets. My wife Reshma is with Cathay Pacific Liza Pereira, . as cabin crew. She is away for work. That keeps the The event was on grass initially. Grass court marriage going! She gets her space. nationals had a lot of importance as the Davis Cup My sisters’ sons play tennis. I follow them and used to be played on grass. Then it became hard follow Indian tennis. They recently played in courts and clay courts. Change will always happen. at a centre run by KG Ramesh.

23 It is one of the few tournaments supported by a company for so many years. Difficult not to show up for the “tournament. Earlier, it was on grass. There are no grass courts any more. One can always look back at one’s career and say that one could have achieved so much more. But the circumstances decide a lot of things. I think I retired too early. Had I known that Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi would do so well, I could have continued. I had a fair amount of success with both. Happy to have played the Davis Cup. Won the doubles and team gold medals. It was too early to retire at 28. Maybe, I decided to move on. If I could not compete regularly in the international circuit, there was no point to keep playing the national circuit. In hindsight, it was good because I could start doing things which I wanted to, at a young age. To focus on things other than tennis. With Mahesh, we won a lot of Satellites etc. I was already in the Davis Cup team, when he got in. I had won grass and hard court singles and doubles titles in 1992 in Jaipur and Bombay. Beat Asif Ismail for grass nationals and Nitin Kirtane for hard court title. We could not finish the finals owing to circumstances in the DCM Shriram Open in 1997. I am proud with my success in the country. I have won the national titles in under-10, under-12, under-14, under-16, under-18 and the men’s events. For one company to do it for 25 plus years, that is a lot of commitment to Indian tennis.

GAURAV NATEKAR

She beat the top seed Rushmi Chakravarthi, the what he did with his game. talented stroke-player Jahnavi Parekh, the athletic It was his third national singles title and on a Sai Jayalkshmy and eventually Arati Ponnappa in third different surface. Harsh had won the titles on the final in a pulsating thriller in a third set tie-break. grass and clay earlier. He was now winning it on Well, Uzma had given a glimpse of her potential the synthetic surface on which he has been able earlier in March in the Federation Cup, in which to hit the ball on the rise. Ravi Kiran Bhat and Sunil she was the only Indian to win matches. She had Kumar won the national under-16 and under-14 singles wins against New Zealand and Thailand titles to emphasise their talent in competitive and with a little more support from team mates fields. Arati Ponnappa and Jahnavi Parekh, Uzma could Uzma Khan was too good in winning the have helped India stay in the Asia-Oceania under-18 title and Radhika Tulpule made her mark group ‘I’. by winning the under-16 honour. Liza Pereira was In the junior section, Harsh Mankad showed able to assert herself in the under-14 event, though that he was head and shoulders above the rest. she had to endure the disappointment of losing He recovered from being a set down in the final the doubles final along with Rani Smita Jain in to beat Rishi Sridhar in a pulsating final. Harsh three sets to Rati Kumar and Lata Ashudani. impressed with his smart head a lot more than

24 Asif Ismail in action during the Mens Singles finals

Source: Hindustan Times Hindustan Source:

THE RESULTS (FINALS) (conceded). Men: Asif Ismail vs Gaurav Natekar 7-5, 3-4 UNDER-16 BOYS: Ravi Kiran Bhat bt Kamala (abandoned, joint winners); Doubles: Gaurav Kannan 6-2, 6-2; Doubles: Ravi Kiran Bhat and Natekar and Vikram Venkataraghavan bt Asif Nirmit Shetty bt Kedar Shah and Dipesh Rao Ismail and Vasudeva Reddy 6-3, 6-4. 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4.

Women: Uzma Khan bt Arati Ponnappa 6-3, UNDER-16 GIRLS: Radhika Tulpule bt Sheethal 4-6, 7-6 (4); Doubles: Rushmi Chakravarthi Goutham 6-2, 2-6, 6-3; Doubles: Shruti and Arati Ponnappa bt Sai Jayalakshmy and Dhawan and Sheethal Goutham bt Radhika Jahnavi Parekh 2-6, 6-3, 6-1. Tulpule and Radhika Mandke 6-4, 7-6 (1). UNDER-14 BOYS: Sunil Kumar bt Pratim UNDER-18 BOYS: Harsh Mankad bt Rishi Parekh 6-3, 4-6, 6-1; Doubles: Chandrashekar Sridhar 6-7 (8), 6-1, 6-2; Doubles: Rohan Mohanty and Parantap Chaturvedi bt Harshit Saikia and Ajay Ramaswami bt Abhishek Sharma and Dhruv Kumar 2-6, 6-0, 6-3. Laxminarayan and Ravi Kiran Bhat 6-4, 6-2. UNDER-14 GIRLS: Liza Pereira bt Jitisha UNDER-18 GIRLS: Uzma Khan bt Aparna Selarka 6-2, 6-2; Doubles: Rati Kumar and Srinivasan 6-2, 6-4; Doubles: Sheethal Lata Ashudhani bt Rani Smita Jain and Liza Goutham and Trishna Williams bt Aparna Pereira 6-7 (1), 6-4, 7-5. Srinivasan and Nehal Chopra 6-2, 2-0

25 1998 Nitin Kirtane wins again, Uzma Khan retains trophy

IT WAS EXPERIENCE THAT prevailed over youth as the 24-year-old Nitin Kirtane subdued the 18-year-old Vijay Kannan in the men’s final of the DSCL National tennis championship. In the absence of other experienced players like Prahlad Srinath, Syed Fazaluddin and Sandeep Kirtane, it was a good chance for the youngsters like Vijay, Harsh Mankad, Vinod Sridhar and Ravi Kirtan Bhat to draw the focus I on themselves, but it was the Western Railway employee, Nitin who prevailed with his craft and the strong will. Nitin won his second national singles title, following the grass court national title that he had won in 1996 in Calcutta. There was a similarity in the manner that he accomplished the two as Nitin did not drop a set on the way to the crown both the times. The left-hander had made the initial waves as a junior when he reached the Wimbledon boys doubles final along with Mahesh Bhupathi in 1992, a

Shriram Open was an event in the year to look forward to. It was a festival which happens at that time of every year “where we all trained our best to be at our best for this event. We get to meet everyone since even a district level player would come to play this event. It had that charm and provision, you see. So, it was a grand tennis festival. Since it was a yearly festival, the ones who did well in this tournament were known to every player, coach and parent. So, luckily I did fairly well in 18’s and women’s, though reaching semis four times and not winning it hurts. The team selection to represent India was based on this tournament. I have no regrets in my career for the very fact that I gave my best, worked really hard without any distractions. Whatever the outcome was, it wasn’t in my hands. I really appreciate the organisers, sponsors for continuously supporting the sport. Such events encourage the players in an individual sport, by giving opportunities to perform on such platforms. We may not have to make the system perfect but whatever little we continue to do will also impact some lives. This is my learning.

26 Mr. Ajay S Shriram addressing the audience at the 7th DSCL Open Nationals in 1998 along with Mr. Vijai Kapoor, Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Delhi

year in which he also made the Asian junior into coaching and did not push himself much championship singles final in Jaipur. By winning against Nitin in the semifinals. the national title on the hardcourts, Nitin asserted The 19-year-old Harsh Mankad was going that he was getting ready to take the next step, through a lean phase after having broken away and possibly represent the country in Davis Cup. from the DHAITA Academy in the Capital. He lost Among others, Asif Ismal and Vishaal Uppal to Asif after calling the shots in the first half of made the semifinals. The talented Uppal was the match. unlucky to twist his ankle midway through the In the women’s event, it was the staunch match and limped away without even bothering self-belief of Uzma Khan that prevailed as the to ask for medical assistance. Asif was already lass turned the match around after

27 Mr. Vijai Kapoor, Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Delhi presenting the Mr. Vijai Kapoor, Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Delhi presenting trophy to Mr. Nitin Kirtane, (Winner) DSCL Open Nationals 1998 trophy to Arati Ponnappa (Winner), Womens Doubles, DSCL Open Nationals 1998

Mr. Vijai Kapoor, Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Delhi presenting trophy Mr. Vijai Kapoor, Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Delhi presenting to Akshay Vishal Rao (Runners-up),Boys U-18 , DSCL Open trophy to Vijayendra Laad (Winners), Boys U-18 Singles, DSCL Nationals 1998 Open Nationals 1998

Mr. Vijai Kapoor, Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Delhi presenting trophy Mr. Vijai Kapoor, Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Delhi, presenting to Sai Jayalakshmy (Runners- Up), Womens Singles , DSCL Open trophy to Vijay Kannan, (Runners-up), DSCL Open Nationals Nationals 1998 1998 28 VIJAY KANNAN

Winning the Fenesta open in 2001 was the first National men’s title in my career. I had lost the final in 1998. It was a great experience , In fact, I beat my good friend Rohan Bopanna, who was in good form, ready to lift the trophy. More than anything , it was a great relief winning the national title as i had come close and lost in the finals of nationals twice before. once on grass courts and the other on hard courts. The Fenesta open title was very important to me as it gave me a lot of confidence. It came at the right time as I was low on confidence and had dropped in rankings. The Fenesta Open Mr. Vijai Kapoor, Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Delhi sharing a lighter moment title also helped me gain a spot in the Indian with Mr. Ajay S Shriram,Ms Chandini Lamba, Mr. Vikram S Shriram and Davis cup squad, when India beat Lebanon Mr. Ajit S Shriram at DSCL Open Nationals 1998 in Lebanon in 2001. In Fenesta Open, i still remember qualifying used to be played over 4 days and main draw of different age being down 1-3 in the second set against SaiJ ayalakshmy in the groups used to happen over 2 weeks unlike final. Uzma had lost the first set, but proved too strong mentally other tournaments. It was like a festival for at the crunch. Sai had beaten the 16-year-old Shruti Dhawan in the players and parents then. the semifinals for the loss of one game and Sheethal Goutham I work as a Chief Manager with ONGC in the quarterfinals for the loss of three games, and thus was in Chennai. I am very happy with the way perhaps not adequately prepared a tackle an opponent’s of my tennis carrier went. It taught me a lot Uzma’scalibre. of things in life. I am always thankful to my It was her second national singles title and Uzma was parents for introducing me to the sport. planning to go to the US on a tennis scholarship and possibly Currently, my son has taken up the same sharpen her game so as to bring it on par with her strong will sport and hopefully very soon i will be and a tough mental attitude. In the boys final, Vijayendra Laad visiting the Fenesta Open as a parent and beat the 16-year-old local lad Akshay Vishal Rao in three sets, watch my son Akash, eight years now, play while Uzma Khan was too good to be troubled much by the matches there. Fenesta Open was always a very well talented Shruti Dhawan. Uzma was so good that she dropped organised tournament . The organisers four games in all in the last three rounds of the girls event. always took care of the players’ needs. It In the other events, rain played havoc. So, Anant Sitaram is always nice to see my name in the past of Andhra Pradesh shared the boys under-16 title with Sunil champions display board , which they put Kumar of Chandigarh. Sonal Phadke of shared up during the tournament every year. I am always glad to have been associated with a tournament like Fenesta Open. the girls under-16 title with Liza Pereira. Samrita Sekar and Sasha Abraham shared the honour in the girls under-14 event. It was Preeti Rao from Chennai who stopped Sania Mirza of Hyderabad 6-2, 7-5 in the quarterfinals. Sasha beat another talented girl, Isha Lakhani in three sets in another quarterfinal. Sania Mirza had the first taste of success at the national level as she in partnership Mr. Vijai Kapoor, Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Delhi presenting with Sasha shared the doubles title with Priyanka trophy to Rushmi Chakravarthi and Arati Ponnappa Parekh and Ragini Vimal. (Winners), Womens Doubles, DSCL Open Nationals 1998

THE RESULTS (FINALS) Men: Nitin Kirtane bt Vijay Kannan 6-4, 6-3, 6-4; Doubles: Mustafa Ghouse and Rishi Sridhar bt Asif Ismail and Vijay Kannan 6-2, 1-6, 6-4.

Women: Uzma Khan bt Sai Jayalakshmy 3-6, 6-3, 6-4; Doubles: Arati Ponnappa and Rushmi Chakravarthi bt Sai Jayalakshmy and Janaki Krishnamoorthy 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.

UNDER-18 BOYS: Vijayendra Laad bt Akshay Vishal Rao 6-3, 2-6, 6-3;Doubles: Ravikiran Bhat and Avinash Arun bt P. Ravikrishna and Anant Mr. Vijai Kapoor, Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Delhi Sitaram 6-2, 6-0. presenting trophy to Shruti Dhawan (Runners- Up), Girls Singles U-18, DSCL Open Nationals 1998 UNDER-18 GIRLS: Uzma Khan bt Shruti Dhawan 6-1, 6-0; Doubles: Puja Deshmukh and Karishma Patel bt Kameswari Vadali and Sandhya Kanuri UNDER-14 BOYS: Dhruv Kumar and Nishank 6-4, 6-2. Mishra joint winners; Doubles: NIkhil Vijay UNDER-16 BOYS: Anant Sitaram and Sunil Kumar Murali/S. Abhinav and Amanjot Singh/Nishank joint winners; Doubles: Parantap Chaturvedi/ Mishra joint winners. Chandrashekar Mohanty and Benjamin Xavier UNDER-14 GIRLS: Samrita Shekar and Sasha and Sunil Kumar joint winners. Abraham joint winners; Doubles: Sania Mirza/ UNDER-16 GIRLS: Sonal Phadke and Liza Pereira Sasha Abraham and Priyanka Parekh and Ragini joint winners. Vimal joint winners.

30 1999 Sunil Kumar steals the thunder, Sai Jayalakshmy wins maiden national title HE 16-YEAR-OLD SUNIL KUMAR of Chandigarh, a trainee of coach Kawaljeet Singh in the Punwire scheme, joined the likes of Ramanathan Krishnan, Ramesh Krishnan, Zeeshan Ali and Leander Paes in winning the national men’s title at such an young age. It was a spectacular performance by the boy who had been picked from CLTA’s rural scheme a few years earlier. A talented southpaw, Sunil impressed with his fluent strokeplay and strong T physical fitness that helped him endure 17 matches in just about a week’s time as he moved between the synthetic courts and the clay surface for various events. The lad came through six rounds of the qualifying event in the men’s section that included a tie-break win over the seasoned Peter Vijaykumar in the ‘best of 17 games’ format. He beat the former national junior champion Vijayendra Laad, the smooth-stroking S. K. Shivshankar. Sunil played a strong game against the former Davis Cupper Asif Ismail, and the 29-year-old lad packed up his bag early in the second set, unable to face the music any further. Asif had managed to win a mere three games till then. Sunil warded off a stiff challenge from Saurav Panja Mr. Vijai Kapoor, Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Delhi presenting the trophy to Sunil Kumar, (Winner), Mens Singles, DSCL in the semifinals, and proved too good for Mustafa Open Nationals 1999 Ghouse in the final, though he was not able to jump

31 Mr. Vijai Kapoor, Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Delhi presenting the Mr. Vijai Kapoor, Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Delhi presenting the trophy to Rushmi Chakravarthi (Runners-up) Womens Singles- trophy to Mustafa Ghouse, (Runners-up), Mens Singles,DSCL DSCL Open Nationals 1999 Open Nationals 1999

Mr. Vijai Kapoor, Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Delhi presenting the Winners of DSCL Open Junior Nationals 1999 along with trophy to S. Jayalakshmy (Winner) Womens Singles, DSCL Open dignitaries Nationals 1999

for his serves. The amicable lad with a ready Parantap Chaturvedi with poise in the final, after smile had lost in the third round of the junior the latter had beaten a string of good players event to Mithun Murali. However, Sunil’s friend including Mithun. and fellow trainee at the Punwire scheme, Akshay In the women’s section, Sai Jayalakshmy, Vishal Rao, captured the junior title. He had lost an officer with Indian Oil in Chennai, who had after having matchpoints against Vijayendra given herself a two-month stint in Europe, beat Laad in the final the previous year, and this was the challenge against fellow employee, friend a rich compensation for the 17-year-old Delhi and doubles partner, Rushmi Chakravarthi. Sai boy. Akshay handled the tenacious 15-year-old was nervous in the final, and the memories of

32 Mr. Pradeep Singh, ED (FICC) presenting trophy to Sania Mirza, (Runners-up) Girls Singles U-14,DSCL Open Nationals 1999

losing the final the previous year after leading in Singh was overwhelmed to find three of his wards the second set on winning the first against Uzma taking the national title. Khan kept haunting her. The girls title went to Megha Vakharia, a talented striker of the ball Radhika Tulpule, a talented lass from Pune with from Mumbai won the girls under-16 crown, as sound temperament. She had made the women’s she beat Liza Pereira in three sets in the final. On quarterfinals in singles apart from making the the way, Megha had beaten Sania Mirza 6-4, 6-7 doubles final. (3), 7-5 in the quarterfinals, after having trailed 1-5 Meanwhile, it was a dream spell for Chandigarh in the decider. In the girls under-14 event, Sasha as Amanjot Singh continued with the fine flow to Abraham beat the favourite Sania Mirza 6-1, 6-3. clinch the boys under-16 title. Coach Kawaljeet The Hyderabad girl Sania had won the under-14

Winning the Fenesta - DCM men’s singles national championships for the first time is one of my happiest memories. “It was a different feeling when I won it again in 2005. When I reminisce, I realise how important the title was for me, especially because I got recognition in the field of tennis at an early age of 16. It gave my tennis career a big boost in both juniors and men’s Open categories. I do remember the tournament has always had a very active and an energetic vibe. All the players used to look forward to competing in Delhi, in the Fenesta hard court Nationals, as the sponsors, organisers, referee, umpires, ball kids and everyone associated with the tournament were so helpful and nice to all. I have been working as a teaching pro at the Newport Beach Tennis Club in California for the past seven years..I am happy about how my career shaped out. I wish the organisers, who have kept the tournament running for 25 plus years, the very best and success. I thank them for being so committed to the game of tennis SUNIL KUMAR SIPAEYA

33 and under-16 titles in the Adidas tournament in the UNDER-18 GIRLS: Radhika Tulpule bt Karishma Capital earlier, but was not able to recapture the Patel 7-5,6-4; Doubles: Harsimran Kaur and same form. Those were early days, and Sania had a Khushchehr Italia bt Samrita Shekar and T. Yamini stinging forehand and an unflinching attitude that 6-4, 2-6, 6-1. would stand the test of time. UNDER-16 BOYS: Amanjot Singh btPratim Parekh 6-3, 7-6 (5); Doubles: Amanjot Singh and Saurabh THE RESULTS (FINALS) Kohli bt Rohan Gajjar and Harshit Sharma 2-6, 6-3, Sunil Kumar bt Mustafa Ghouse 7-5, 6-0, 5-7, Men: 6-3. 6-2; Doubles: Vishaal Uppal and Mustafa Ghouse bt Saurav Panja and NitinKirtane UNDER-16 GIRLS: Megha Vakharia bt Liza Pereira 7-5, 7-6 (4). 6-3, 4-6, 6-4; Doubles: Preeti Rao and Samrita Sekhar bt Liza Pereira and Megha Vakharia 6-3, 1-6, Women: Sai Jayalakshmy bt Rushmi Chakravarthi 7- (4). 6-2, 2-6, 6-3; Doubles: Archana Venkataraman and UNDER-14 BOYS: Vikrant Sane bt R. Arun Prakash Arthi Venkataraman bt Radhika Tulpule and Janaki 7-6 (2), 6-4; Doubles: R. Arun Prakash and V. Krishnamoorthy 2-6, 7-6 (7), 3-1 (conceded). Vignesh bt Wrik Ganguly and Tushar Liberhan 6-3, 6-3. UNDER-18 BOYS: Akshay Vishal Rao bt Parantap UNDER-14 GIRLS: Sasha Abraham bt Sania Mriza Chaturvedi 6-2, 7-5; Doubles: Mithun Murali and 6-1, 6-3; Doubles: Ankita Bhambri and Sanaa N. Mukundan bt Abhijit Mazumdar and Kedar Shah Bhambri bt Lata Ashudani and Priyanka Parekh 6-2, 7-5. 6-3, 7-6 (6).

Mr. Pradeep Singh, ED (FICC) presenting trophy to Amanjot Mr. Pradeep Singh, ED (FICC) presenting trophy to Singh, (Winner) Singles Boys U-16,DSCL Open Nationals 1999 and Ankita Bhambri, (Winners) Girls Doubles U-14,DSCL Open Nationals 1999

34 2000 Nitin Kirtane and Rushmi Chakravarthi crowned as the champions T WAS DOUBLE DELIGHT for the seasoned professionals Nitin Kirtane and Rushmi Chakravarthi as both won a double crown each in asserting their domination. The 26-year-old Nitin was able to subdue the defending champion, the 17-year-old Chandigarh lad Sunil Kumar in four sets in the final. Except for winning the third set from being down 2-5, Sunil was unable to show any trick I in a battle of two left-handers with contrasting styles. Quite understandable, Sunil has been focusing on the international junior circuit to build a strong foundation for his career. He was thus not ready to handle the wiles and guiles of the professionals like Nitin. Nitin was fresh from competing in the club league in Germany and was keen to prove himself all over again. ‘’I had to wipe out the bad memories of last year, when I conceded to Mustafa Ghouse in the quarterfinals’’, said Nitin, who had been part of the Indian Davis Cup team for the ties against the Czech Republic and Chile. In the women’s event, the 23-year-old Rushmi, who celebrated her birthday on the opening day of the tournament, made it a ‘no contest’ as she beat her doubles partner and defending champion Sai Jayalakshmy for the loss of three games in the new format, 4-1, 4-1, 4-1. While Rushmi was serving and stroking with ease, Sai struggled with her touch. Rushmi handled the talented bunch of girls with competence, as she beat Radhika Tulpule, Megha Vakharia and Sania Mirza with her attacking brand of

35 Mr. Ajay S. Shriram, presenting trophy to Rushmi Chakravarthi Mr. Ajay S. Shriram, presenting trophy to Nittin Kirttane (Winner) Womens Singles DSCL Open Nationals 2000 (Winner) Mens Singles DSCL Open Nationals 2000

Mr. Ajay S. Shriram, presenting trophy to Sai Jayalkshmi Mr Ramesh Krishnan cutting the cake at the 9th (Runners-up) Womens Singles DSCL Open Nationals 2000 DSCL Open Nationals 2000

tennis. ‘’I have been serving and playing well the Sane, top seed Shivang Mishra, fourth seed whole week. It is one of the best tournaments for Kamala Kannan and the second seed Parantap me’’, Rushmi said. Chaturvedi. The fact that Anna Nefedova of Russia, who In the girls section, Radhika won three three- had dominated the $5000 ITF circuit in India, setters in a row in her last three matches against was beaten in the qualifying event by Samrita T. Yamini, Samrita Sekar and Sonal Phadke, in Sekar projected a healthy future for Indian that order, to richly deserve the crown. women’s tennis. National junior champions Akshay Vishal Rao THE RESULTS (FINALS) and Vijayendra Laad were unable to cross the Men: Nitin Kirtane bt Sunil Kumar 6-1, 6-4, 5-7, quarterfinals in the men’s events. However, hope 6-2; Doubles: Saurav Panja and Nitin Kirtane bt sprang yet again as Rohan Gajjar won the junior Rohan Bopanna and Vishaal Uppal 7-6 (8), 6-1. title, beating a clutch of quality players, Vikrant

36 Winning the title was a dream come true! The Shriram Open Nationals was a big tournament, the biggest in our “domestic calendar, not just in terms of stature of the event but also in terms of how many players took part and wanted to win it. And to be the last one standing at the end was super special. I will always cherish this win. It was at a very important point in my career that I won the title, because it gave me so much of confidence. I was just starting to take baby steps into the international tour and to win the nationals was a big boost. Truly enough, 2000, the year that followed was probably one of my best years on the tour. I have great memories of the event. It was a busy week with everyone jostling to get practice courts and balls etc. Pretty much every tennis player took part and the qualifying draw was always huge so there was always competition to just get on court for a hit even. Over time, one got so familiar with the organisers as well as all the other players that it was always like one big family coming together for that week. It was great fun and winning was of course the icing on the cake. I now run a home baking business called Flour Power. It’s been seven years and what started off as a hobby, something I just liked doing, has grown into a small home based business that keeps me busy for most of the year. I can’t say I have any regrets over my tennis career. Of course, I would have loved to have played the Grand Slams or the Olympics but these things didn’t happen. Still, tennis has made me who I am today and given me an identity. It has also taught me way more than any school or college ever did. So, yes, I’m happy. The sponsors have done a great job by sticking with this event over the years, even in the ‘lean’ years when the Nationals seemed to have lost some of its sheen for tennis players. By also offering some of the best prize money, they have also helped the players a lot. We live in times when people seem to lose interest so quickly in things. So for the organisers to continue to back this event for 25 years is huge. I will never forget my first Senior National title won at the Shriram Open in 1999 and am so proud to be known as a National Champion. SAI JAYALAKSHMY

ISHA LAKHANI then there was this bout of jaundice. I remember eating four pain killers and losing to Sanaa Bhambri. I was set to I remember winning all the titles over the years, in singles go for a $75,000 tournament in Japan. The doctor told me and doubles, from under-14 to women. So, the DCM that I would not come back alive if I did that. I quit. I have Shriram/ Fenesta National tennis has always been very no regrets, but I do feel that I could have tried one more memorable for me. I gave my best every time. There is time. There are many doctors and engineers all over the so much to learn by playing a sport. I am grateful to my country. But there are very few who have represented parents for putting me into sports. It gave you the ability to the country in sports. It is a great honour and privilege to accept situations, and to get up every time you fall. I was play for your country. I am so happy that DCM Shriram/ always intense, because I enjoyed playing the sport, only Fenesta tennis has been getting better every year. The when I was playing my best. So, I did get angry when I was organisers and the AITA have done a beautiful job over not playing good. But, when I look back, I see that there the years, in making it a nice experience for everyone. I was so much anger. I gave it all I had. When you are 17 to will be more happy if kids are given travel grants. I will also 20, you need to play 20 to 30 weeks in a year. When I was be happy if they consider supporting two to five players, 17, I reached up to 290. I was just about 40 to 45 places and make a difference to their sporting career. There are so away from playing the qualifying events. many talented players who quit because they can’t afford Then, a knee injury kept me away from the game for nine to spend money to stay in the game. We request only months, and I lost my ranking. At 19, I came back to top- those who do so much for tennis for they genuinely care 300 again, but a back injury and a wrist injury meant that I for the game and the players. lost my ranking. May the event keep providing beautiful experience and Around 24/25, I once again reached the top-300, and memories for everyone for many more years. KARAN RASTOGI

Personally I have some great memories of the Fenesta Nationals. Earliest memory was having to play five qualifying rounds in the under-14 as a 12 year old and losing in the final round. Best memories, of course, were wining the under-14 Winners of DSCL Open Nationals 2000 along with Mr. Ajay S Shriram singles, under-14 doubles and under-16 singles in the same year. Was a fantastic week playing Women: Rushmi Chakravarthi bt Sai Jayalakshmy 4-1, 4-1, three matches every day and I 4-1; Doubles: Sai Jayalakshmy and Rushmi Chakravarthi bt remember really enjoying it. I Archana Venkataraman and Arthi Venkataraman 5-3, 4-1, 4-1. played it only once in the men’s category, and lost to in UNDER-18 BOYS: Rohan Gajjar bt Parantap Chaturvedi 6-4, the semi-finals. I was quite young. 2-6, 7-5; Doubles: Abhishek Tamhane and Vivek Jhaveri bt One thing that always stood out, Dheeraj Shetty and Tejeshwar Chigateri 6-2, 6-2. was the sheer number of entries and participants. Like I said we had UNDER-18 GIRLS: Radhika Tulpule bt Sonal Phadke 6-4, 5-7, to play 5-6 rounds, just to qualify 6-4; Doubles: Samrita Sekar and Preeti Raobt Liza Pereira and for the main draw. Historically, it Megha Vakharia 6-3, 6-2. was the one tournament all Indian tennis players wanted to compete and win. I was no different. Kudos to the organisers, especially in my days I remember the late Mr. Dushan Deo organising all the matches and starting at 6 a.m. and finishing late into the night. Hard work from him really made the tournament a success. Great credit to the sponsors to keep supporting the event for so many years. It is the trade mark tournament in India. I believe without the sponsors it would have been impossible for the tournament to have such great Mr. Ajay S. Shriram, presenting trophy to Rohan Bopanna (Runners-up) Mens Doubles DSCL Open Nationals 2000 history. Winning the DSCL Open/Fenesta was something I much support for sports in the country. I am extremely “worked hard for, every time. It is a tournament I have grateful for that. Indian Oil’s role in Indian sports looked forward to each year. No matter how many has grown so much now and many sports persons times you win it, you want to win it once more. Its such have benefited from this. As a senior player, I help in a well organised tournament and the organisers have identifying new tennis talent for the corporation and I looked after the players very well and that has made am also the Sports coordinator for all sports persons in the tournament so memorable. DCM Shriram/ DSCL the southern region. has always been the most prestigious tournament I have also been associated with the Indian junior in India ever since the tournament was first held in teams for the Junior Fed Cup and World Junior Tennis 1993. Every player in India played this tournament as captain and coach. Helping junior players with my and winning it gave me so much confidence to take experience is something I like doing. Tennis has been my tennis further to the next level. It was after those my life and I would love to give back to the sport in wins that I started playing the ITF women’s circuit full every way possible. time. From 1993 onwards, for almost a decade when Tennis has given me so much. I had a long career I played the tournament, almost every year I came in the sport and I look back with no regrets. It is such back with a trophy in either singles or doubles. When a wonderful sport I am glad that I had I a good tennis I look back, it was tournaments like this that gave us a career. platform to move onto international competition. Back The contribution of the organisers to Indian tennis is in the 1990’s and early 2000 all the events used to be phenomenal. To conduct this National Championship conducted in one week and it was like a tennis mela. for over 25 years, so professionally and making this The organisers always did such a phenomenal job of tournament bigger and better every year is really conducting the event so smoothly. commendable. The tournament committee is so For me especially, most years I celebrated my warm and friendly and the friendship has continued birthday during the event . The organisers would over decades. As an Indian tennis player I really always thoughtfully get me a cake and make my day acknowledge their contribution and support for Indian special. DSCL/ Fenesta open has become such an tennis. This tournament has been a stepping stone for integral part of Indian tennis. so many Indian players. I do hope their support and I have been with Indian oil for over two decades contribution will continue for Indian tennis. now. Indian Oil has supported me all through my RUSHMI CHAKRAVARTHI career and especially at a time when there was hardly

39 Winners of DSCL Open Junior Nationals 2000 along with Mr. SS Kohli, Chairman, Punjab National Bank presenting prize to dignitaries Ankita Bhambri at DSCL Open Junior Nationals 2000

Mr. SS Kohli, Chairman, Punjab National Bank presenting prize Mr. SS Kohli, Chairman, Punjab National Bank presenting prize to to Isha Lakhani at DSCL Open Junior Nationals 2000 Karan Rastogi at DSCL Open Junior Nationals 2000

40 ROHAN BOPANNA The tournament helped me gain a lot of friendship, as we tended to stay in the event for about 10 days, especially I have fond memories of the DCM Shriram Open. It is the when one started in the qualifying event. People came only tournament that has survived and sustained for this from different parts of the country, and everyone had a long. It has been really good that Indian tennis has had team around. I had a lot of friends, and it was fun watching such a strong and long support from a sponsor. them play. The titles DCM Shriram and Fenesta are engraved in In Delhi, a lot of people came to support us. National the minds of everyone. So, it is not just national tennis championship was like a festival. any more. Even at my academy in Bengaluru, the kids The DLTA transformed during the event. Brand outlets talk about competing in Fenesta nationals. It is such a came up. We enjoyed the atmosphere and mixing with wonderful thing that it has been held continuously for people. We were not merely worried about the results, this long. I remember Limca Masters in my younger days, like the way players do these days. Me and Vijay Kannan where all the best junior players would assemble from played a lot together. We were together in the Oil team also. across the country. I wish a few more sponsors come There was no mobile phone to distract us in those days. forward and support tennis for a long time. Dinner at 7’O clock. We travelled in trains together. Coming to Delhi for the tournament was an experience To my young players at the academy, I keep saying that in itself. It was one of the best tournaments. a player is your opponent only when you play. Otherwise, One always wanted to win the tournament. Reaching you all mix together, train together and grow together, the finals, you knew how the court played, and were pushing each other. That is how you can grow. accustomed to everything else. You want to win the title, Tennis is definitely a lonely sport. The higher you play, especially having reached the final. One is disappointed to the lonelier it gets. So make friends. Encourage each other. have lost the final. Do fitness with each other. Winning the grass court National had an incentive, As a junior I might have played a few qualifying events. as the winner was getting a wild card for the Chennai Did play doubles. It is amazing that the organisers have Open ATP event. I remember training hard, after I lost the kept it going for this long, and kept trying to make it better. National final. I not only ended up qualifying for the main My suggestion is that it will be great to have live draw in Chennai Open, I also won a round. streaming of the matches, at least in some courts. Put a The National championship showed that the quality camera on each court. With the juniors playing, am sure a of one’s game is not enough. You always tried to reach the lot of tennis enthusiasts around the world will be keen to next level. After competing in the nationals, I always played see the talent. the international events better. I generally, played the Today technology has made such ideas affordable. It bigger events better. I have loved the challenge from the big really does not cost anything. It will be a great incentive for stage. It has helped me bring out my best tennis. Bigger the the under-14, 16 and 18 players to be watched by people stage, better my tennis. around the world, not just by their families and friends. I did lose the Fenesta final to Vijay Kannan and the grass The Challenger Tour does that. They have one camera court national final to VishaalUppal. on the court, beaming the action. It is better than watching People used to wonder why the hard court wild card live scoring. You don’t need commentary. With the quality was being given to the grass court champion. Anyway, it of cameras these days, it will be very good. It will be a value was a great opportunity for the players then. addition to a great event.

41 2001 Vijay Kannan keeps promise, Rushmi Chakravarthi defends her title

T WAS SMART TENNIS that prevailed over stinging power as Vijay Kannan beat Rohan Bopanna in the men’s final. By just blocking the big returns of Bopanna, apart from the using the soft touch and sound angles, Vijay prevailed over his doubles partner the 6’ 4’’ tall Bopanna. The conditions were in favour of the defensive player. Incidentally, it was the third final in the national championship I for the unseeded Vijay. It was a memorable double crown for the B. Com graduate from the Loyola College in Chennai, as Vijay won the doubles title with Ajay Ramaswami, beating the Kirtane cousins, Nitin and Sandeep. While it was a case of being third time lucky for Vijay, the strong Coorg, Bopanna was losing his third final within a short span, as he had lost two finals in the ITF Futures events to Prahlad Srinath. Did he lack the big match temperament?! Only time would answer the question. Bopanna had to come through the qualifying event as he decided to play the championship after the wild cards had been decided. Obviously, he had not entered in time to be among the direct entrants. The Atlanta Olympics bronze medallist and a champion of many Grand Slam doubles titles, the Indian Davis Cup hero Leander Paes watched the final. ‘’Rohan has been doing well of late, and is in the reckoning for Davis Cup selection. He has a big game but needs maturity. He didn’t handle the conditions well. The ability to overcome the conditions is the mark of a champion’’, Leander observed. ‘’With the right support, he can become a good player. We will take care of him’’, said Mahesh Bhupathi who had watched the final on TV. Bopanna was ruthless in dismissing the challenge from Sunil Kumar, who had just been crowned the

42 Mr. Leander Paes came for a training session for players at the DSCL Open Nationals 2001

Celebrating the 10th DSCL Open Nationals in 2001 Mrs. Sheila Dixit, Honble Chief Minister of Delhi can be seen watching the match with Mr. Ajay Shriram, Mr. Leander Paes and Mr. Anil Khanna

Asian junior champion. He was equally superb 6-2 in the quarterfinals. However, the 15-year- in cutting through the defensive tactics of the old Sania had the satisfaction of winning the defending champion Nitin Kirtane. He did face doubles title with Ankita Bhambri as the duo beat some problem against the counter-attacking the seasoned combination of Rushmi and Sai Kamala Kannan. In the women’s event, Rushmi Jayalakshmy in a thrilling final at 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (5). Chakravarthi defended her title, but not before Arun Prakash Rajagopalan and Isha Lakhani Sonal Phadke teased her in the semifinals. Rushmi won the boys and girls titles respectively. Both eventually beat the Mumbai girl, 6-1, 6-7 (3), 7-6 faced tough competition from Somdev Dev (5). The Indian Oil officer from Chennai, Rushmi Varman and Samrita Sekar respectively, and was fluent in her win over Sheethal Goutham in prevailed in three sets each in the finals. Isha won the final. the junior girls doubles title as well with Megha Rushmi recovered from being a set down to Vakharia. beat Sania Mirza, the star in the horizon, 2- 6, 6-4, Tushar Liberhan in the under-16 event and J.

43 ANKITA BHAMBRI in the under-14 competition served notice as the players to watch out for in the future. Sanaa Bhambri and Kartiki I have very fond memories of the national championship. Winning it was Bhat were the ones to draw attention in the girls under-16 and always a goal for all the players who under-14 events respectively. competed at that time. It was the most prestigious tournament for all of us and we THE RESULTS (FINALS) eagerly waited for it every year. Even if you Men: Vijay Kannan bt RohanBopanna 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 6-1; Doubles: were the No.1 player in the country in your Vijay Kannan and Ajay Ramaswami bt NitinKirtane and Sandeep age group, winning the nationals seemed to Kirtane 6-2, 6-4. somehow validate that ranking. Personally, it was my dream to win the Women:Rushmi Chakravarthi bt Sheethal Goutham 6-4, 6-3; nationals especially in my junior days Doubles: Ankita Bhambri and Sania Mirza bt Rushmi Chakravarthi when I was 10- 11 and playing the under 14 and Sai Jayalakshmy 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (5). and 16 girls category. I am not sure if many girls from Delhi Mixed doubles: Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna bt Shruti have won it before but it was an important milestone when I won the double crown of Dhawan and Mustafa Ghouse 6-4, 6-4. 14 and 16 singles and under-16 doubles with my sister Sanaa. UNDER-18 BOYS: Arun Prakash Rajagopalan bt Somdev Dev We were thrilled and my family was Varman 3-6, 6-2, 6- 1; Doubles: Rohan Gajjar and Amanjot Singh very happy. I think that was when we took bt Shivang Mishra and Arun Prakash Rajagopalan 6-3, 6-4. the decision to continue tennis and take it UNDER-18 GIRLS: Isha Lakhani bt SamritaSekar 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-1; up professionally. Tennis became the No.1 Doubles: Isha Lakhani and Megha Vakharia bt Sasha Abraham priority for the family. and Preeti Rao 6-4, 7-5. The tournament itself was conducted and organised like a gala event where we UNDER-16 BOYS: Tushar Liberhan bt Nihal Advani 6-1, 6-4; also saw top players competing in the Doubles: Tushar Liberhan and Chatwinder Singh bt Anshuman senior categories a week before. Dutta and Rupesh Roy 7-6 (1), 6-1. Winning the women’s doubles title with Sania Mirza as a 15 year old was a thrill UNDER-16 GIRLS: Sanaa Bhambri bt ParulGoswami 6-1, 6-4; and then winning the women’s singles and Doubles: Ankita Bhambri and Sanaa Bhambri bt K. Pooja and doubles a few years later was joyful. These Shradha Lodha 6-2, 6-3. titles have always been an important part of UNDER-14 BOYS: J. Vishnu Vardhan bt SumitPrakash Gupta 6-0, my tennis journey. 2-6, 6-2; Doubles: Franklyn Emmanual and N. S. Nishendran bt It is the No.1 tournament of our country Hrishikesh Pataskar and Sumit Prakash Gupta 6-4, 6-4. and it deserves all the attention. During my interactions with junior UNDER-14 GIRLS: Kartiki Bhat bt Sandri Gangotri 6-3, 6-1; Doubles: players, I always tell them how important Madura Ranganathan and Vandana Murali bt Sandhya Nagaraj and this tournament is and how tough it is to Sandri Gangotri 6-4, 6-4. win it. Mr. Leander Paes giving the trophy to Arun Prakash Mr. Leander Paes giving the trophy to Rohan Bopanna, Rajagopalan, Boys U-18 Singles (Winner) DSCL Open Mens Singles (Runners-up) DSCL Open Nationals 2001 Nationals 2001

Mr. Leandar Paes presenting the trophy to Sania Mirza and Mr. Leander Paes giving the trophy to Somdev, Boys U-18 Ankita Bhambri (Winner) Womens Doubles, DSCL Open Singles (Runners-up) DSCL Open Nationals 2001 Nationals 2001

45 Mr. Leander Paes giving the trophy to Vijay Kannan, Mens Mr. Leander Paes along with Mr Rajiv Sinha (ED, DCM Shriram Singles (Winner) DSCL Open Nationals 2001 Ltd) at DSCL Open Nationals

Mr. Leander Paes holding a session with young players Mr. Leander Paes handing over the trophy to Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza (Winners), Mixed Doubles at DSCL Open Nationals 2001

Winners of DSCL Open Junior National 2001

46 2002 Vinod Sridhar and Isha Lakhani assert the supremacy of left-handers

T WAS A SEASON OF the left-handers, as Vinod Sridhar, Isha Lakhani and R. Arun Prakash won the men’s, women’s and the junior titles. In fact, it was a triple crown for the 17-year old Mumbai girl Isha, as she won the women’s singles and doubles apart from the under18 girls singles title. Vinod had to tackle a tough field. He did so in style. The Chennai lad beat defending champion Vijay Kannan in the quarterfinals in straight sets, though it I had to be conceded that the latter was not at his best as he was returning from a wrist injury. Accounted for the national junior champion, Somdev Dev Varman in the semifinals. He was adequately prepared for the final against the big-serving Mustafa Ghouse and cruised home in four sets after the first two sets had been intensely contested. Rohan Bopanna, the runner-up of the previous year had done very well in the season including a final appearance in the Asian Championship in . A victory there would have fetched him a wild card for the . He has done very well to jump into the big league despite losing to the defensive tactics of Vijay Kannan in the last edition. Having learnt his lessons, Bopanna opted to stay focused in the international league. Coming back to the current edition, the powerful serve and volley game of Mustafa Ghouse could not match the strong determination of Vinod Sridhar. He had done well to win the doubles bronze medal in the Busan Asian Games with Vishaal Uppal, but has not generally played with conviction in singles to match

47 Mr. Vijai Kapoor, Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Delhi presenting the Mr. Vijai Kapoor, Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Delhi presenting the trophy to Vinod Shridhar (Winner) Mens Singles, DSCL Open trophy to Radhika Tulpule (Runners-up) Womens Doubles, Nationals 2002 DSCL Open Nationals 2002

Mr. Vijai Kapoor, Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Delhi presenting the Mr. Vijai Kapoor, Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Delhi presenting the trophy to Sonal Phadke (Runners-up) Womens Singles, DSCL trophy to Isha Lakhani (Winner) Womens Singles, DSCL Open Open-2002 Nationals 2002

his potential. He, of course, had won the national lass came through with flying colours despite grasscourt title in Kolkata. being unseeded. She beat a string of good Isha impressed though she conquered a players like Priyanka Parekh, eighth seed Archana field that did not have Rushmi Chakravarthi, Venkataraman, the second seed Radhika Tulpule, Sai Jayalakshmy and Sania Mirza. The Mumbai the fourth seed Ankita Bhambri and the third

48 seed Sonal Phadke in that order. A small frame notwithstanding, Isha emphasised that she had the heart of a champion. The top seed Sheethal Goutham lost early to her doubles partner Shruti Dhawan. In the junior event, Lata Assudani took a set off Isha in the semifinals, but the latter bounced back so well that she won 12 of the next 15 games. There was no match for Isha otherwise including the final against Sasha Abraham. Arun Prakash Rajagopalan, a trainee of the Krishnan Tennis Centre from Chennai, beat a Winners DSCL Open Junior Nationals 2002 along with competitive field that had players like Amanjot dignitaries Singh, Chatwinder Singh, Tushar Liberhan, Somdev Doubles: Isha Lakhani and Sonal Phadke bt Ankita Dev Varman and Nihal Advani. Supported by the Bhambri and Radhika Tulpule 1-6, 6-4, 6-4. Academy for Tennis Excellence (TATE), Mixed doubles: Shruti Dhawan and Ajay Arun played a good serve and volley game to beat Ramaswamy bt Radhika Tulpule and Sandeep the grinders from the back court. Kirtane 7-5, 3-6, 6-3. A surprising point was the former national champion Sunil Kumar conceding his match without UNDER-18 BOYS: R. Arun Prakash bt Amanjot so much as a medical advice in the third set against Singh 6-2, 76 (5); Doubles: and Tushar Kamala Kannan in the second round. Sunil returned Liberhan bt Amanjot Singh and Saurabh Singh 7-6 to play the doubles an hour later and that match (6), 6-3. went into three sets. Coimbatore’s Madura Ranganathan made a UNDER-18 GIRLS: Isha Lakhani bt Sasha Abraham mark winning both the girls under-16 and under-14 6-1, 6-3; Doubles: Ragini Vimal and Priyanka Parekh titles while Chandigarh boy won the bt Sharanya Pattabi and Nivedita Venkatesh 6-1, 6-4. under-14 title but lost the under-16 final in three sets UNDER-16 BOYS: Divij Sharan bt Sanam Singh 2-6, to Divij Sharan. 6-3, 6-4.

THE RESULTS (FINALS) UNDER-16 GIRLS: Madura Ranganathan bt Oormila Men: Vinod Sridhar bt Mustafa Ghouse 7-6 (4), 3-6, Ram 6-4, 6-1. 6-1, 6-1; Doubles: Nitin Kirtane and Saurav Panja bt UNDER-14 BOYS: Sanam Singh bt R. K.Praveen 7-6 Rohan Gajjar and Ajay Ramaswamy 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-4. (2), 6-2.

UNDER-14 GIRLS: Madura Ranganathan bt G. K. Women: Isha Lakhani bt Sonal Phadke 6-3, 7-6 (2); Shweta 6-3, 6-4.

49 2003 Punna Vishal and Ankita Bhambri have their say

UNNA VISHAL SPRUNG THE surprise in the men’s section, while Ankita Bhambri turned the spotlight on herself in the women’s field. In fact, the Delhi girl Ankita won a double crown as she captured the doubles title with her sister Sanaa. While that was a happy tiding for Delhi tennis, it was a heart-break as the 17-year-old Delhi lad Divij Sharan lost three finals, the men’s singles and doubles apart from the junior singles. Yet, it was a brave effort from Divij, who had been P ranked world No.5 in doubles. The focus on Punna Vishal, the Hyderabad lad, who was keen to capitalise on this run, as he remembered losing the National Games final, exactly a year back on the same day, to Nitin Kirtane in front of an adoring home crowd that had packed the arena. ‘’I had lost the National Games final on the same day a year ago. I was determined to win this one’’, revealed Punna, who had shown his class by reaching the semifinals of the $10,000 ITF Futures event earlier in Dehra Dun. An athletic player who approaches the net quite often, Punna was eventually given a place in the Indian Davis Cup squad as he continued to do well, including the qualifying event of the prestigious Chennai Open ATP Tour event. Unlike many others who had been restricted to the bench, Punna got to play a rubber in an away tie against New Zealand. Punna played so well in the tournament that he dropped only one set, to Kamala Kannan in the semifinals, on way to the trophy. Divij showed his staying power and fighting qualities as he saved three matchpoints to beat the former national champion Vinod Sridhar in the semifinals. He was perhaps too drained physically and emotionally after winning so many matches, and thus was not at his best while tackling Navdeep Singh later in the day in the junior final. The

50 Mr. Ajay S Shriram presenting Trophy to Kartiki Bhat and Sandra Mr. Ajay S Shriram presenting Trophy to Sandhya Nagaraj, Sasidharan, (Winners), Girls U-18 Doubes, DSCL Open Nationals (Runners-up), Girls U-18 Doubles, DSCL Open Nationals 2003 2003

Mr. Ajay S Shriram presenting Trophy to Sanam Singh and Jeevan Winners of the DSCL Open Nationals 2003- Punna Vishal and Nedunchezhiyan, (Winners), Boys U-18 Doubles, DSCL Open Ankita Bhambri Nationals 2003

doubles title too eluded him, but he vowed to converted his seventh matchpoint in a battle of return as a better player next time and give it a wits against his doubles partner Saurabh Kohli in better shot. the semifinals. Navdeep Singh was all energy on court as he ‘’This title is important for me, to gauge my won the junior title in a draw of 64. The 17-year- growth as a player’’, said Navdeep who has been old Navdeep saved seven matchpoints and based in Dubai and has been training with John

51 Hicks in the United Kingdom. The Hyderabad lass Punam Reddy, a trainee DIVIJ SHARAN of Vasudeva Reddy and S. Narendranath, played with considerable intensity of focus to Growing up and playing tennis as a kid, Shriram beat Madura Ranganathan. She had beaten the open or DSCL open or Fenesta Open was the most favourite Sanaa in the semifinals in the third set prestigious and important tournament of the year. tie-break. Peter Agnel Gladwin, a trainee of Mayur I still remember all my training and tournament Vasant, caught everyone’s eye as he won both planning was done around this national the under-16 and under-14 singles titles without tournament. dropping a set. First memories of playing as a 12 year old. It was probably the first time when I felt nerves of Shivika Burman handled fluctuating fortunes performing on a big stage, at this tournament. as she slipped from 5-2 to 5-6 in the final with It wasn’t just all tennis. It was getting to know composure to emerge the champion in the players from all over the country, making new under-16 section, while G. K. Shweta was too friends, watching some really close matches from good in the under-14 event. top of the hill in the beautiful DLTA setting of the past, or playing hours of mini court tennis while THE RESULTS (FINALS) waiting for your match to be called. Men: Punna Vishal bt Divij Sharan 6-3, 6-2, 6-1; From 14-18 years of age, things got a little more Doubles: Rishi Sridhar and Ajay Ramaswami bt serious. Realisation of trying to succeed set in. Somdev Dev Varman and Divij Sharan 7-6 (7), 6-1. The first ever goal was to win the Shriram open. So, first experience of training hard to achieve my Women: Ankita Bhambri bt Sanaa Bhambri goal, working on my tennis as well as fitness, fighting 6-3, 6-3; Doubles: Ankita Bhambri and Sanaa through pressure situation in matches all came up because of this very important tournament. Bhambri bt Geeta Manohar and Archana Tasted success by winning under-14 doubles, Venkataraman 6-1, 6-2. under-16 singles and making three finals in the same week of under-18 singles, men’s singles and men’s UNDER-18 BOYS: Navdeep Singh bt Divij Sharan doubles. These were all mile stones that cemented 6-3, 3-6, 6-3; Doubles: the resolve to continue working on my game and and Sanam Singh bt Lalit Mann and Sandeep eventually live my dream of playing tennis as a Kumar 7-5, 6-1. profession. Fenesta open has been an important UNDER-18 GIRLS: Punam Reddy bt Madura part of almost every Indian tennis player’s journey. I congratulate the tournament organisers for Ranganathan 6-0, 6-7 (3), 6-2; Doubles: Kartiki completing 25 years and thank them for their Bhat and Sandra Sashidharan bt Sandri Gangotri contribution to Indian tennis. and Sandhya Nagaraj 7-6 (4), 6-4. UNDER-16 BOYS: Peter Agnel Gladwin bt Kinshuk

52 Mr. Ajay S Shriram presenting Trophy to , Mr. Ajay S Shriram giving prize to Veteran winners Mr GI Singh (Runners-up) Boys U-14 Doubles, DSCL Open Nationals 2003 and Mr Sanjeev Kassal, 2003

Mr. Anil K. Khanna presenting Trophy to Divij Sharan, Mr. Ajay S Shriram presenting Trophy to Peter Agnel Gladwin, (Runners-up), Boys U-18, DSCL Open Nationals 2003 (Winner), Boys U-14 Singles, DSCL Open Nationals 2003

Sharma 6-3, 6-2. Prajnesh bt Yuki Bhambri and Debendra Das 6-3, 6-1. UNDER-16 GIRLS: Shivika Burman bt Daksha Mulay 4-6, 6-0, 7-6 (7-5). UNDER-14 GIRLS: G.K. Shweta bt Parija Maloo 6-1, 6-1; Doubles: Karina Ahuja and Sanjana Kapoor bt UNDER-14 BOYS: Peter Agnel Gladwin bt Vijayant Shivika Burman and G. K. Shweta 6-2, 1-6, 6-4. Malik 6-4, 6-3; Doubles: Krishna Karsolia and G. P.

53 2004 Aqeel Khan and Sanaa Bhambri corner glory

T WAS AN AQEEL KHAN show. The 24-year-old Pakistani lad won the men’s singles title in the DSCL National tennis championship and literally stole the thunder from the 16-year-old Sanaa Bhambri who won a triple crown including the women’s title. In trying to draw some attention to the tournament invitation was extended to the Pakistani Davis Cupper who grabbed the opportunity to realise his dream. I ‘’This is very special. It is great to win the national championship in India as there are so many good players here’’, said Aqeel. He beat the former national champion Vinod Sridhar in four sets in the final. Aqeel had got used to the Indian conditions by competing in the ITF Satellite circuit here and had done very well to finish runner-up, an effort that helped finish in the top-350 of the ATP world ranking list. It was added incentive for the friendly lad to compete here as he was finding the winning ways. Obviously, Aqeel was happy to pocket one lakh rupees, the prize purse for the winner. He had also been given air fare and accommodation as a courtesy for accepting the invitation. Aqeel helped bringing out the best from the Indians, as the match featuring him against the young Karan Rastogi in the semifinals was a cracker. Foreigners had been playing the Indian national championship from the good old days and more recently, Marcus Hilpert of Germany had won the national championship in successive years on grass. Vinod Sridhar had beaten the former national champion Nitin Kirtane in three sets in the semifinals and was calling the shots in the final as he won the first set and led in the second before a thigh muscle pull put paid to his aspirations. Karan Rastogi had beaten Tushar Liberhan in the quarterfinals in a keen contest between two quality youngsters.

54 Dr. K.K. Paul, IPS, Commissioner of Police-Delhi presenting Dr. K.K. Paul, IPS, Commissioner of Police-Delhi presenting trophy to Sanaa Bhambri (Winner) Womens Singles, DSCL trophy to Aqeel Khan (Winner) Mens Singles, DSCL Open Open Nationals 2004 Nationals 2004

Mr. Ajay S Shriram in conversation with Aqueel Khan at DSCL Mr. Ajay S Shriram in conversation with Vinod Sridhar at DSCL Open Nationals 2004 along with Mr Rajiv Sinha and Mr Anil Open Nationals 2004 Kumar from DCM Shriram Ltd.

Sanaa Bhambri had been coming up very well. down 0-2 in the decider in beating Sonal Phadke She had reached the semifinals of the French under the floodlights after intermittent showers Open doubles with Sania Mirza in 2003. She had upset the programme. emulated another talented player Isha Lakhani Sanaa had also won the doubles title with Isha. in winning a triple crown. Her fighting qualities She beat fellow Delhi girl Parul Goswami in the were evident as Sanaa recovered from being under-18 girls final to emphasise her ability.

55 Sonal Phadke lost the women’s final for the second time. She had done the AQEEL KHAN hard work of beating the gutsy Isha in the semifinals and Parul in a tough three- It was great honour for me to play the DSCL, National setter in the quarterfinals. championship. It was my first year in 2004, when I was a class act in came and played ITF Futures events in India. I was very winning the under-18 boys title as he beat happy to get the invitation to compete in the National another talented boy, Rupesh Roy in three championship. When the organises requested, I was quite sets. tired, playing a lot of Futures, Davis Cup, but promised Vinay Kamineni beat in to come. Had heard a lot about many Pakistani players three sets in the under-14 boys final, while winning the championship, before partition. It was a the tall Poojashree Venkatesh was able great experience for me to play the Indian national to beat G. S. Janaki Rao with ease in the tournament. under-14 girls final. She won a double It was really important for me, as I was playing a lot of Futures. The Indian national tournament was like Futures crown, by capturing the doubles title with for me. All the best Indian players ranked in ATP like Shweta Kumari Solanki. Karan Rastogi competed in the championship. I flew back Experts like former Davis Cup coach from to play this tournament. It was a dream to Akhtar Ali observed that by improving play Indian nationals in my favourite city, Delhi. the foundation with good technique at a Playing any tournament in India gives great memories. young age, Indian youngsters could take The National championship was special. They took care the next sure step towards progress. of me, for everything. I got special attention from the tournament side. The national championship was good THE RESULTS (FINALS) for me.. It was very memorable, competing and winning Men: Aqeel Khan (Pak) bt Vinod the Fenesta national title. Sridhar 4-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-1; Doubles: Ajay I am very happy with my tennis career as I didn’t work Ramaswami and Vinod Sridhar bt Kamala that much but god gave me, a lot more results than my Kannan and V. M. Ranjeet 6-2, 6-2. hard work. I want to add. My first year, when I came to prepare for Davis cup in India. I was in Delhi for three weeks for the Satellite tennis. It was before the Davis Cup Women: Sanaa Bhambri bt SonalPhadke against New Zealand. I had a lot of support from DLTA, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4; Doubles: Sanaa Bhambri Coach Arun Kumar sir. I learnt a lot from them. I found and Isha Lakhani bt Liza Pereira and Sonal many good people to help me on and off the court. Phadke 7-6 (7), 6-1. Playing in India was special, and winning the National championship was an amazing feeling. UNDER-18 BOYS: Vivek Shokeen bt Rupesh Roy 6-2, 3-6, 6-2; Doubles: Anshuman Dutta and Rupesh Roy bt

56 Dr. K.K. Paul, IPS, Commissioner of Police-Delhi presenting Mr. Ajay S Shriram presenting trophy to Poojashree Venkatesh trophy to Vivek Shokeen (Winner) Boys U-18 Singles, DSCL (Winner) Girls U-14 Singles, DSCL Open Nationals 2004 Open Nationals 2004

Winners of DSCL Open Junior Nationals 2004 Mr. GI Singh and Mr. Sanjeev Kassal Veteran winners of DSCL Open Nationals 2004

Sumit Prakash Gupta and Tejasvi Rao 2-6, 6-1, 6-4. 6-4, 6-3; Doubles: B. Vikram Reddy and Abhijeet Tiwari bt Vijayant Malik and Shiva Sangwan 6-2, 7-6 UNDER-18 GIRLS: Sanaa Bhambri bt Parul Goswami (4). 7-5, 6-1; Doubles: G. K. Shweta and Preethi Subramaniam bt Ashmitha Easwaramurthi and UNDER-14 GIRLS: Poojashree Venkatesh bt G. S. Parija Maloo 6-2, 7-6 (3). Janaki Rao 6-3, 6-2; Doubles:Shweta Kumari Solanki and Poojashree Venkatesh bt Prerna Mythry and UNDER-14 BOYS: Vinay Kamineni bt SriramBalaji 2-6, Sushruta Reddy 6-2, 6-0.

57 Nationals was one of the biggest events after the ITF college tennis in the States. It is considered extremely “tournaments for all of us and especially the junior fortunate for anyone in the States to walk out with a categories. It was one of the most coveted trophies to Masters education with no student loans! I was able to win for any Indian! There are two Fenesta events that I have a full-fledged career and there wasn’t a day once I fondly remember. One was when I lost the semi-finals entered the work force where I felt like I was left behind in the under-14 category but won the under-16 title. Lost because I didn’t quite have a normal school going life. I a close three-setter to Kartiki Bhatt, and beat Punam felt competitive. In fact, the qualities on the tennis court Reddy the same day! It is always hard to play two helped me succeed off it! singles on the same day but I think as a junior I played I manage a data and analytics team at Cisco today in a lot of 14 and 16 events and reached the latter stages (team of 11) and I feel blessed to have accomplished often. all that I have so far! I dream big and hopefully I will The other favourite for me was when I won the triple continue to climb the corporate ladder. crown at the age of 16 the under-18, women’s and the I do give back to the sport I love so much, I teach women’s doubles! It will forever remain special; this several kids in North Carolina some of which are now was 2004 the year I also played the semifinals of the top ranked players in the 10 and under category in the Roland Farris doubles with SaniaMirza in the juniors. State as well as the nation! The fact that the event was in Delhi, not only made As far as the organisers, I am able to see and follow it a lot more special but also a lot more comfortable as so many of the Indian officials at Grand Slams and I remember my mom driving us back and forth, even if people that have made a career and living out of we had an hour between matches to get a shower or a tennis and officiating! I have also met some of them at quick bite to eat! tournaments in the US the last few years, when I travel The people that watered the clay courts while the to watch Yuki play! It’s a great opportunity for people clay courts existed or the umpires, the referees (most that love the sport and love the travel. I enjoy a lot of often Puneet Gupta) one of my favourite referees in different sports but tennis will always remain my first Indian tennis, were fabulous! I have so many fond love. memories of the people. The requests for Tuesday I wish everyone playing the Nationals this year and starts or a particular court assignment. It was all so very for years to come, all the best! Enjoy the sport and these special as I walk back the memory lane. will definitely be some of the most memorable years of I have mixed feelings about my tennis. Although I am your childhood like they have been mine. very proud and fortunate to have achieved everything It is rare to see commitment from corporates I did as a teenager, I owe every little bit of that to my especially in tennis. Extremely thankful for their parents and the effort they put in. They would have support for decades, and hope the future generations definitely, especially my dad would have loved to see will value the commitment and not take the me and Ankita continue for a couple more years. He tournament, organisers for granted. I hope they always, till date, feels like we moved on a tad bit early. continue to support Indian tennis for decades to come. However, personally I have no regrets as I made a very SANAA BHAMBRI calculated decision to pursue my MBA and experience

58 2005 Sunil Kumar and Isha Lakhani win it once again to revive their career UNIL KUMAR AND ISHA LAKHANI had been the hero and heroine of the DSCL National tennis championship before, and they were happy to don the role once again, to possibly re-launch their career on a more sound footing. The 22-year-old Chandigarh lad, Sunil had won the national men’s title in 1999, but has not been able to push his career as much as he should have despite being taken under his wings by our Davis Cup hero, multiple Grand S Slam champion and Olympic bronze medallist Leander Paes. Despite being stretched to three sets by wild card Purav Raja in the first round, and despite being tired after a successful stint in the four-week ITF Satellite circuit prior to the championship, Sunil played robust tennis to collect the winner’s purse of Rs.100,000. More than that he regained our confidence that his career would get back on the rails once again. Ashutosh Singh had not won a round in the singles main draw in the last five editions that he had played but the 23-year-old Delhi boy, son of coach Balram Singh, made the final, as he rode on a favourable draw in beating three qualifiers in his first three rounds. In the semifinals, he downed the former national champion Vijay Kannan with an attacking all-round game. In the best of five sets final, Ashutosh took the third set, but he never threatened the eventual champion much. The former champion Nitin Kirtane was getting ready to return to his favourite tournament, but a car accident that broke his non-playing right hand shattered his plans. Nitin wrote to say that he would fight his way back to the

59 Dr. K.K. Paul, IPS, Commissioner of Police-Delhi, presenting Dr. K.K. Paul, IPS, Commissioner of Police-Delhi, giving Trophy trophy to Isha Lakhani (Winner) Womens Singles, DSCL Open to Mr. Sunil K. Sipaeya ( Winner) Mens Singles, DSCL Open Nationals 2005 Nationals 2005 along with Mr Anil Khanna

The organizing team of DSCL Open Winners at the ceremony of DSCL Open Nationals 2005

60 tennis courts once again, and that his career should not be written off as yet. Right spirit ! In Indian women’s tennis, Isha Lakhani is perhaps the most complete player after Sania Mirza. The short-built but stout-hearted Mumbai girl had beaten Sania in a $25,000 ITF women’s tournament in Mumbai, but has struggled to put together a successful career because of a series of injuries. The high quality of tennis that Isha played in the national Mr. Vikram S Shriram addressing the audience at the DSCL Open Nationals 2005 championship, in which she had won a double crown in 2002, showed that she would be a force to reckon in the months to come. It was a double crown for the 20-year- old Isha this time as she won the doubles as well with Sonal Phadke. The petite Sonal finished runner-up for the third time, and managed to make a fight of it after trailing 3-5 in the second set. She has been admirably at it and came through a series of tough matches. Her time will come

The official team of DSCL Open Nationals

61 Dr. K.K. Paul, IPS, Commissioner of Police-Delhi, presenting Players signing In for the Nationals trophy to Geeta Manohar (Runners-up) Womens Doubles, DSCL Open Nationals 2005

some day. old Poojashree showed that she has come of In the junior events, qualifier Arnav Jain stole age. She had won the under-14 title last year. the hearts with his all-round game. A trainee of The tall Bangalore girl who trains at the Nagaraj coach Enrico Piperno at the CCI in Mumbai, the Centre in had little challenge in winning 16-year-old Arnav did not drop a set in winning the under-16 title. She was competing in the 11 matches including five in the qualifying event. under-16 event just to ensure that she made the The boy dropped only seven of 52 games in the Indian junior Fed Cup team. qualifying tournament and was authoritative in G. P. Prajnesh, a trainee of coach M. the main draw as well, except for being taken to Balachandran at the KSLTA in Bangalore was a the tie-break in the second set by the top-seeded delight to watch with his intensity of approach Sumit Prakash Gupta in the semifinals. and fluency of stroke play in the under-16 Poojashree Venkatesh was quite efficient in section. He beat players of all sizes and different winning the under-18 and under-16 girls titles. In styles with a touch of assurance to emphasise stopping national junior champion G. K. Shweta his potential, which he had already established in three sets of the under-18 final, the 15-year- with good performances in the ITF junior circuit.

62 The absence of the Bhambri sisters, who were successfully competing in $25,000 ITF women’s tournaments in Nigeria, was compensated by the presence of the Bhambri clan in the sub-junior events. Yuki Bhambri was superb with his reading of the game and sound execution. The frail boy dominated the field in a draw of 64 and dropped only 20 games in six matches to clinch the honour. He won the doubles title also with his cousin Prateek Bhambri. Rashmi Teltumbe, the 13-year-old trainee of Kedar Tembe in Mumbai, was seeded second Dr. K.K. Paul, IPS, Commissioner of Police-Delhi, presenting trophy to Isha Sonal Phadke (Runners-up) Womens and said that she had come to win the title. Singles,DSCL Open Nationals 2005 She did so after bouncing back from being 0-6 down in the final against the talented left- hander Soniya Dayal who had put out the top- seeded in the semifinals.

THE RESULTS (FINALS) Men: Sunil Kumar bt Ashutosh Singh 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3; Doubles: Divij Sharan and Vivek Shokeen bt Kamala Kannan and Ashutosh Singh 6-4, 6-1.

Women: Isha Lakhani bt Sonal Phadke 6-1, 7-6 (7); Doubles: Isha Lakhani and Sonal Phadke bt Sheethal Goutham and Geeta Manohar 6-1, 6-2.

UNDER-18 BOYS: Arnav Jain bt Kinshuk Sharma 6-2, 6-3; Doubles: Sumit Prakash Gupta and M. Saketh Sai Mynenibt A. S. Suresh Krishna and P. C. Vignesh 3-6, 6-1, 6- 0. Dr. K.K. Paul, IPS, Commissioner of Police-Delhi, presenting trophy to Ashutosh Singh, (Runners-up) Mens Singles, DSCL UNDER-18 GIRLS: Poojashree Venkateshbt Open Nationals 2005

63 G. K. Shweta 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-4; Doubles: Parija Maloo and Shweta Kumari Solanki bt Sampada Kanade and Anushree Thamanna 6-2, 6-3.

UNDER-16 BOYS: G. P. Prajnesh bt SriramBalaji 6-3, 6-0; Doubles: G. P. Prajnesh and Akash Wagh bt Tariq Jacob and Navaneetha Kannan 7-5, 6-1.

UNDER-16 GIRLS: Poojashree Venkatesh bt Parija Maloo 6-2, 6-0; Doubles: Parija Maloo and Poojashree Venkatesh bt Shalini Sahoo and Vishaka Sheoran 6-1, 1-6, 6-3.

UNDER-14 BOYS: Yuki Bhambri bt Mansingh Athare 6-4, 6-3; Doubles: Yuki Bhambri and Prateek Bhambri bt Ronak Manuja and Mandeep Singh Gill 6-0, 7-6 (5).

UNDER-14 GIRLS: Rashmi Teltumbe bt SoniyaDayal 0-6, 6-4, 6-2; Doubles: Gopika

Kapoor and Y. P. Aishwarya bt Prerna Bhambri Dr. K.K. Paul, IPS, Commissioner of Police-Delhi, presenting trophy to and Rashmi Teltumbe 7-6 (3), 6-4. Divij Sharan and Vivek Shokeen (Winner) Mens Doubles, DSCL Open Nationals 2005

Dr. K.K. Paul, IPS, Commissioner of Police-Delhi presenting trophy to and Sumit Prakash Gupta (Winners) Boys U-18 Doubles, DSCL Open Nationals 2005 Interactive Session with Ms. Sania Mirza, DSCL Open Nationals Ms. Sania Mirza along with the DCM Shriram official team 2005

Mr. Ajay S Shriram presenting the trophy to Sriram Balaji Mr. Ajay S Shriram presenting the trophy to Gopika Kapoor (Runners-up), Boys Under 16 Singles, DSCL Open Nationals 2005 (Winner), Girls Under 14 Doubles, DSCL Open Nationals 2005

65 2006 Purav Raja wins a maiden double crown, Isha Lakhani does it for the third time

E WAS NOT THE favourite, but Purav Raja proved that he was the best as he fought his way to the title. ‘’I just refused to lose’’, said the 20-year-old Mumbai lad, after taming Vishnu Vardhan in a battle of wits that spanned three hours and 54 minutes. Purav won the dramatic contest 1-6, 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-3. Having won the doubles title the previous day with his coach and partner Sandeep Kirtane, Purav had tasted success and was thirsting for more. He had H stopped the talented Sanam Singh, by bouncing back from 1-4 in the decider in the semifinals, and thus had the confidence to match anyone. What was impressive about Purav was his ability to stay mobile till the end and think on his feet, while Vishnu seemed to be weighed down by expectations that he had perhaps heaped on himself. Vishnu’s big serves failed to fire and he paid for losing serve early in the second, third and fourth sets. He had put up a flawless game till the final, pulling off a series of impressive matches, particularly the one against Ashutosh Singh in the semifinals, but at the crunch he just could not put it all together. The contrast between the two was the level of self-belief. Purav was brimming with it and Vishnu, a strapping young man with a lot of energy and intense focus, lacked the conviction in his own abilities. Purav had given a glimpse of his abilities by taking the first set against Sanam after being 2-5 down in the semifinals that set the tempo for his eventual entry into the final. He had the distinct ability to fight his way back into a match.

66 Mr. Ajay S. Shriram, presenting trophy to Sriram Balaji (Winner), Mr. Ajay S. Shriram, presenting trophy to Yannick Nelord Balaji Boys U-18 Singles DSCL Open Nationals 2006 (Runners-up), Mens Doubles DSCL Open Nationals 2006

Nandan Bal organizing a clinic during the Nationals Mr. Ajay S. Shriram, presenting trophy to Kyra Shroff and Kelsey Sundaram (Winners), Girls U-18 Doubles DSCL Open Nationals 2006 Equally, the top-seeded Isha Lakhani was day, if she puts her mind on the job. She is the quite determined and bounced back from an last Indian player to have beaten Sania Mirza, but indifferent start to outplay the talented Sandhya a string of injuries has prevented Isha from doing Nagaraj in three sets in the women’s final. She justice to her potential in the international arena. had earlier won the doubles title with her. ‘’It is important to win the national title. I am The diminutive left-hander from Mumbai, Isha glad to have done it again’’, said Isha who had has a stout heart and can beat anyone on her won the women’s singles and doubles titles in

67 PURAV RAJA 2002 and 2005 as well. When I played Fenesta it was an integral part of Indian tennis Sriram Balaji was the best in the junior players schedule. When I was growing, I am lucky to have played section, but started awfully against Fariz this event. It was a great experience. The title put me on the tennis Mohammad in the under-18 final, failing to map. It gave me the push towards my tennis career. win a game in the first set. Fariz had knocked I remember being nervous the first year. I remember losing out the defending champion Arnav Jain easily to Vishaal Uppal. I had just come to India after studying easily in the semifinals and looked to have abroad. In those days, doing well in the tournament was like continued from there. However, the wiry lad getting a visa to the Indian team. We used to have two nationals, from Chennai, Balaji regrouped his game grass court and hard court. Following year it gave me the quickly and overwhelmed the opponent confidence to play at the highest level. To give me the belief to eventually in the third set, paying back with compete at the highest level. the same coin. It is 20 years. At that time I didn’t know much. My coach Kyra Shroff celebrated her 14th birthday SandeepKirtane and me, the way we went through. It was the by winning the girls under-18 title, as she stepping stone. Top-10 a sense of belonging. I didn’t like trianing. My first two years of traininng. Stepped up the training as I wanted beat her doubles partner Kelsey Sundaram to compete well. It was an incredible experience. in straight sets after being 2-5 in the first It was the mecca of tennis. All age groups 14, 16, 18. Everyone in set. Indian tennis makes it there. We need many more tournaments ‘’I didn’t expect to win the under-18 title. like that. It will rectify the financial problems of tennis players. I need to be more aggressive’’, said Kyra, We can have 15, 20 or 30 world class tennis players in the top- revealing her better understanding of the 500, based on the tennis events in India. Now 25, earlier 100. demands of the game. It is unbelievable to look at the 25 plus years of association of Kyra had shown her fighting abilities by DCM Shriram with the game. I don’t know them personally. More bouncing back from 5-7, 2-5 to beat the people caring for tennis like this will be good. If we have 20 such smooth stroking Parija Maloo in a tough tournaments, it will change Indian tennis. If you can’t travel, you semifinal that lasted three hours and 25 can’t make a living from the game. All the best players should play minutes. In fact, Kyra had to ward of further this event. But, it possibly clashes with the International circuit. danger at 1-3 in the decider. Not easy to take time off from the international schedule to come and play this. There should be enough reward for the players Rashmi Teltumbe was the star in the to consider playing this. You have got to make it important. It second week as she won the under-16 should be the epicentre of Indian tennis. Make it prestigious. and under14 titles. The Mumbai girl beat Push through the system. If the prize money is five lakh, for the Nova Patel of in successive finals in champion and runner-up, try to make it eight lakh. Or an unheard contrasting styles. of sum. When I got the winner’s cheque, it paid the salary for A trainee of Kedar Tembe, Rashmi the coach for some months. There has to be more incentive to recovered from the sight of defeat at 2-5 in play this event. Don’t give cash. You can give coach fee for some the second set to beat Nova 6-7(2), 7-6(4), time. Maybe, travel grant to play the international circuit for a 6-3 in two hours and 25 minutes for the few tournaments. Maybe, when you win Fenesta or reach finals, you get a patch to wear on your clothing for a year, and get paid suitably for the same. Purav Raja with his trophies (Winner) Mens Singles & Doubles, Isha Lakhani (Winner) Womens Singles with her trophy DSCL DSCL Open Nationals 2006 Open Nationals 2006

Vishnu Vardhan with his trophy (Runners-Up), Vishnu Vardhan and Purav Raja after the DSCL Open National Mens Singles, DSCL Open Nationals 2006 2006

under16 title. examinations before this tournament’’, said Rashmi. Nova was so good despite a bout of Malaria. Yuki Bhambri continued to assert his class However, she was not left with any energy for the as he made the under-16 final against Vijayant under-14 final later in the day. ‘’My aim was to win Malik and defended the under-14 title. The lanky both the titles and am glad to have accomplished Chandigarh lad, Vijayant started well and retained that. I am proud to have done this without the momentum for a straight forward win against much preparation as I was busy with the school Yuki, who recovered from 0-5 in the first set to make

69 Mr. Ajay S. Shriram, presenting trophy to Yuki Bhambri (Winner), Mr. Ajay S. Shriram, presenting trophy to Boys U-14 Singles DSCL Open Nationals 2006 (Winner), Girls U-14 Doubles DSCL Open Nationals 2006

Mr. Ajay S. Shriram, presenting trophy to Vijayant Malik (Winner), Mr. Ajay S. Shriram, presenting trophy to Rashmi Teltumbe Boys U-16 Singles DSCL Open Nationals 2006 (Winner), Girls U-16 Singles DSCL Open Nationals 2006

a fight of it, but could not push his way much, 6-3, 6-3; Doubles: Purav Raja and Sandeep purely for lack of physical energy. Maybe, Yuki Kirtane bt Saurav Sukul and YannickNelord 6-0, will be better prepared next year ! 7-6 (6).

THE RESULTS (FINALS) Women: IshaLakhani bt Sandhya Nagaraj 3-6, Men: Purav Raja bt Vishnu Vardhan 1-6, 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-3; Doubles: Isha Lakhani and Sandhya

70 It was incredible to finally get my hands on the trophy after championship. I remember when I started “and it is something that I will always cherish. I’ve been playing, it was an open draw and one had to play competing in it since I have been 11 years, playing the multiple matches a day, sometimes just to make the 14 and 18 and watching my sisters pick up not one but main draw. triple titles in a single edition. I am employed by ONGC who have given me the It has always been an important tournament for me freedom to pursue my dreams and have put no and it has a lot more meaning as it is played in Delhi. pressure at all to come and work. They have only been The year I finally won it I think I also ended up encouraging and I am very grateful for their support. having a good run towards the end of the year on the I am proud of my achievements but i still think I can ATP Tour. Winning always helps with your confidence improve and do a lot more. I am very eager to get back and I was very happy to finally hold a national tittle to the court and to start competing again. as I was the only one in the family who hadn’t won Kudos to the organisers who have stuck with tennis it till then. Everyone including Prerna and Prateek and helped Indian tennis to get to where it is today. is a national champion, so had to keep up with that Sponsorship has always been a problem in India. So, standard. it is fantastic to see the organisers doing their best to I have a lot of memories of it specially since the make the tournament successful, year after year. personnel and organisers hadn’t changed much. I remember watching my sisters pick up championship YUKI BHAMBRI

Nagaraj bt Poojashree Venkatesh and Parija UNDER-16 GIRLS: Rashmi Teltumbe bt Nova Maloo 6-3, 6-4. Patel 6-7 (2), 7-6 (4), 6-3; Doubles: Prachi UNDER-18 BOYS: Sriram Balaji bt Fariz Nadkarni and Tanvi Shah bt Ratnika Batra and Mohammad 0-6, 6-4, 6-0; Doubles: Prajnesh Garima Vatwani 6-2, 6-4. Gunneswaran and Akash Gujarathi bt Sumit UNDER-14 BOYS: Yuki Bhambri bt Sumeet Prakash Gupta and Kinshuk Sharma 6-3, 7-6 (5). Shinde 6-3, 6-3; Doubles: S. Siddharth and UNDER-18 GIRLS: Kyra Shroff bt Kelsey Aniket Wakankar bt Shahbaaz Khan and Sundaram 7-5, 6-4; Doubles: Kyra Shroff and Vishwesh Sinha 6-7 (2), 6-1, 10-5. Kelsey Sundaram bt Shalini Sahoo and Vishaka UNDER-14 GIRLS: Rashmi Teltumbe bt Nova Sheoran 6-4, 2-6, 6-3. Patel 6-4, 6-2; Doubles: Divija Mandava and UNDER-16 BOYS: Vijayant Malik bt Yuki Bhambri Rishika Sunkara bt Anushka Bhargav and Nikkie 6-3, 6-3; Doubles: Karunuday Singh and Gargi 6-3, 7-5. Abhijeet Tiwari bt Vijayant Malik and Shiva Sangwan 6-7 (9), 6-4, 10-4.

71 2007 Ashutosh Singh emerges from the shadow, Isha Lakhani stays in the spotlight

T 25, ASHUTOSH SINGH combined his fluent game with considerable maturity to tame some of the future stars in winning his maiden national singles title. When Yuki Bhambri and , who went on to become No.1 in the country, playing the Grand Slams and breaking into the top-100, were supposed to draw capitalise on the platform, Ashutosh, son of renowned coach Balram Singh, served the surprise with a touch of assurance. He beat Prajnesh in A the final in straight sets. Having lost the opportunity two years earlier in the final against Sunil Kumar in a best of five sets contest then, Ashutosh sealed the title. He made the doubles final as well with Vivek Shokeen, but the Delhi pair lost the final to Vinod Sridhar and Vishnu Vardhan 9-11 in the super tie-break. Ashutosh had no complaints as doubles was something he could master a lot better on a regular basis, and it was joy for him to triumph in singles. Those were early days for Prajnesh, and he won the junior title, beating Vijayant Malik in the final. Isha Lakhani won her fourth national women’s title, beating the ever green Rushmi Chakravarthi. She partnered Rushmi for the doubles title. Tanvi Shah lost the junior final to Kelsey Sundaram, but won the doubles title with Shivika Burman. Prateek Bhambri did well to win the under-16 boys title, while Ratnika Batra hinted at her ability by winning both the under-16 and 14 girls titles. Mohit Mayur was taking the baby steps into the big league by winning the under-14 boys title, while put his name as the runner- up in doubles with Rakshay Thakkar. Ronit Bisht lost the singles final, but won

72 Mrs. Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister, Delhi presenting trophy to Mrs. Sheila Dikshit, presenting trophy to Isha Lakhani (Winner) Ashutosh Singh, (Winner) Mens Singles DSCL Open Nationals Womens Singles DSCL Open Nationals 2007 2007

Mrs. Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister, Delhi presenting trophy Mrs. Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister, Delhi presenting trophy to Sonal Phadke and Sanaa Bhambri, (Runners-up) Womens to Shivika Burman, (Winner) Womens Doubles, DSCL Open Doubles, DSCL Open Nationals 2007 Nationals 2007

73 the under-14 doubles with Digvijay Singh. Prerna UNDER-18 GIRLS: Kelsey Sundaram bt Tanvi Bhambri also hinted about her ability to follow Shah 7-5, 6-4; Doubles: Shivika Burman & Tanvi the footsteps of her cousins, Ankita Bhambri and Shah bt Grace Hannah & V. Archana 7-6(4), 6-2. Sanaa Bhambri, as she won the girls under-16 title UNDER-16 BOYS: Prateek Bhambri bt Shiva with Gopika Kapoor. Sangwan 6-2, 6-0; Doubles: Rohit Bisht & Saurabh Singh bt Shahbaaz Khan & S. V. THE RESULTS (FINALS) Abhishek 6-3, 5-7, 12-10. Men: Ashutosh Singh bt Prajnesh Gunneswaran 6-4, 7-6(4); Doubles: Vinod Sridhar & Vishnu UNDER-16 GIRLS: Ratnika Batra bt Vardhan bt Vivek Shokeen & Ashutosh Singh 6-4, 6-3; Doubles: Prerna Bhambri & Gopika 6-4, 3-6, 11-9. Kapoor bt Nimisha Mohan & Arushi Sharma 6-4, 6-2.

Women: Isha Lakhani bt Rushmi Chakravarthi UNDER-14 BOYS: Mohit Mayur bt Rohit Bisht 6-3, 6-1; Doubles: Rushmi Chakravarthi & Isha 7-6(7), 6-4; Doubles: Ronit Bisht & Digvijay Singh Lakhani bt Sanaa Bhambri & Sonal Phadke 7-5, bt R. Ramkumar & Rakshay Thakkar 6-1, 6-1. 6-1. UNDER-14 GIRLS: Ratnika Batra bt 6-4, 6-4; Doubles: Vaidehi Bhagwat & Prarthana UNDER-18 BOYS: Prajnesh Gunneswaran bt Thombare bt & Nidhi Vijayant Malik 6-3, 6-2; Doubles: Vijayant Malik Chilumula 6-2, 1-6, 10-5. & Kinshuk Sharma bt Prateek Bhambri & Ankit Sachdeva 4-6, 6-4, 10-5.

It was the most talked about nationals in India For many, the national championship gives a “and also a very prestigious as all the top names platform to represent the country at the highest in the country competed in it. There is always level. To me, it was the life line then, as I had to excitement in the tennis community when this get into the ranking system, or else I would not event takes place. The last time I played the have been eligible to play the ITF or ATP events. event was in 2011, when I qualified and made As a tennis professional, it is very encouraging the semi finals. It was memorable, as I had just to see this event running for so many years. come back from college tennis and did not It is because of the organisers and sponsors have a national ranking to participate in ITF/ who have done a tremendous job in promoting ATP tournaments. Thanks to the entry into the nationals. There is a lot of work behind the national championship and the points that the scenes to make this annual tournament accrued against my name, I got to compete that successful each and every year. Hope it keeps year and play a lot of quality matches. growing bigger and better! SAKETH MYNENI

74 Mrs. Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister, Delhi presenting trophy Mrs. Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister, Delhi presenting trophy to Vijayant Malik and Kinshuk Sharma, (Winner) Boys U-18 to Prateek Bhambri, (Winner) Boys U-16 Singles, DSCL Open Doubles, DSCL Open Nationals 2007 Nationals 2007

Mrs. Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister, Delhi giving a speech at the Mrs. Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister, Delhi presenting trophy to opening ceremony Vinod Shridhar, (Winner) Mens Doubles DSCL Open Nationals 2007

75 The feeling of being crowned the national champion for it. God has been kind. “of India and join the elite list of past stalwarts was On behalf of the whole Indian tennis fraternity unparalleled. Also there was a sense of relief by the way I thank with folded hands the organisers who did of completing the unfinished work from 2005, when I a shoddy job of conducting a Delhi State level was a finalist. tournament in which Mr. Ajay Shriram’s son and my The day, October 5, 2007, will remain etched in one time training partner, Aditya Shriram participated. my memory for ever. Having your name on the most As revealed by Mr. Ajay Shriram in one of the prize coveted prize in Indian domestic calendar, was a very distribution ceremony, that was the moment he special feeling. decided to start this event with professional expertise. Winning my first national championship in DSCL in The extremely generous DSCL tennis family has a 2007 was an overwhelming experience as it was being small part in improving Indo-Pak relations, as in 2004, held at DLTA which is a second home for me. Doing they extended a wild card to Aqeel Khan. The Indian well in important events helps in self belief and it was players went a step further in showing our world the same for me as I became self assured in my game. renowned hospitality by letting him win the crown ! Impact was such that I ended up having 2007-08 as This event has constantly evolved and now is the one of my best seasons on the circuit. Subsequently, premier event par excellence in the domestic calendar. getting a call up to be a part of the Indian Davis Cup The players refer to it as “The Indian Slam”. team against Japan and in the same season I understand due to paucity of time and scheduling was very special. The prize money allowed me to get discipline the tournament has done away with best in couple of extra weeks of international tennis in my of five sets matches for the Men’s finals but as a purist schedule, where I did well. So that played its part too. tennis fan I am a big time advocate for best of five sets Any DSCL memory is incomplete without semis and finals for Men’s event in the nationals. remembering the A-list team headed by Mr. SN Also, they did have mixed doubles event for a couple Chatterjee earlier and now Ms. Aman Pannu. As of years at DSCL and I would request if these two points everyone is aware, DLTA is a special place for me and could be looked into by the organisers. I insisted on giving a victory speech at the podium, To my knowledge, Sunil Sipaeya and I, were the last asking for the mike, as I wanted to say my gratitude pair to play a scheduled best of 5 sets finals in 2005, towards my family, my coach Arun Kumar and the though the match finished in four sets. whole staff of DLTA which is like an extended family to Reaching 2005 singles finals was a bigger impetus me. for me than my victory in 2007 as it gave the much I am currently coaching in Delhi with my elder sister needed boost to my self-confidence at that point in my Shalini Thakur Chawla, who herself has few DSCL career. trophies to her name. Still spending most of my time on Best wishes for the tournament. the tennis court, can’t ask for anything more. Thankful ASHUTOSH SINGH

76 2008 VM Ranjeet, Ratnika Batra win the titles IRALI MURUGESAN RANJEET won the men’s title, beating Sriram Balaji in the final. With the DCM Shriram Group supporting the All India Tennis Association (AITA) in offering the prize money, but not taking up the responsibility of hosting it, owing to the construction work at the DLTA Complex for the , the players had to endure a big salary cut! The men’s champion was presented Rs.30,000. V The continuity was maintained as far as the National hard court championship was concerned, even though each event had to be conducted in separate weeks in different places, including Punjab. It was some consolation as the brisk Commonwealth Games work upset all plans of the conduct over the next two years, as Indian tennis stayed focused on international events. Ranjeet played solid through the week, while Balaji had saved a match point in the semifinals against Aditya Madkekar for a 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-1 victory. Balaji had to wait for his singles titles for many years! Ratnika Batra stepped up from being the under-16 and 14 champion the previous year, by outplaying Shweta Rana 6-3, 6-0 in the women’s final. Only three of the top-20 ranked women played the championship, as most of them were occupied with international events. While Abhihseet Tiwari beat Ronit Bisht for the junior boys title, the latter won the under-16 title and added the under-14 title by beating one of the future stars, . Shweta Rana won the under-16 girls title, while Sansitha Nandakumar beat for the under-14 girls crown. Prarthana went on to mature into a quality doubles player who won the Asian Games doubles bronze with Sania Mirza in 2014, apart from competing in the Rio Olympics with Sania in 2016. Ankita Raina another future star gave glimpses of her ability by winning the

77 Source: The Hindu Source:

I really feel winning the Nationals is a big thing for any get through the qualies and make the main draw was a “Indian tennis player or be it in any country. I won it in task. It was a mega event and it was just massive from 2008 for the first time and then again in 2016 on grass. whatever I remember . When I won it for the first time in 2008 ,it really did I am currently employed with ONGC and have been change the momentum of my career. It had a very good with them for the last nine years. I am a Senior- HR impact when I won it and I immediately got selected to Executive Officer . They have been of immense support be a part of the Commonwealth games 2010 probables through out my tennis career ever since I joined them. list. There were a lot of good players training alongside I am very happy with my tennis career and I could and we were also at Nick Bollettieri Academy in Florida have probably scaled bigger heights if I had more for a few weeks of training .We were all predominantly financial support (flights , travel etc and you know how training in New Delhi for a year and AITA helped us difficult and expensive tennis is without sponsors). I with the travel and flights. I happened to make use of did not have any sort of big sponsors but I am happy the opportunity and did quite well and was ranked that I could make it somewhere without much support around ATP 400 in singles. It was all about consistency . If’s and but’s apart, I am very content with it all. Can’t and winning matches after that.So it was a great launch complain and am always grateful for whatever I have. pad for me. I remember coming to Shriram Open when I I really think that 25 years is a super effort by the was like 11/12 years old to play the qualifying event and team and it shows their passion. Kudos to them. it used to be this mega event where qualifying would be Hopefully another 25 comes along. spread out for over a week with so many events and to VM RANJEET

78 under-16 girls doubles title with Shweta Rana. RATNIKA BATRA THE RESULTS (FINALS) Men: VM Ranjeet bt Sriram Balaji 6-3, 6-4; My experience of winning the women’s title was really Doubles: B. Vikram Reddy & Abhijeet rewarding. I looked up to the players who had won the Tiwari bt Mithun Murali & Vinod Sridhar tournament in the previous years. So, winning the tournament 6-4, 6-7(2), 10-4. meant a lot to me. To many players and families, an undeniable fact hits at Women: Ratnika Batra bt Shweta some point that winning is important in sports. To see that you Chandra Rana 6-3, 6-0; Doubles: Treta are choosing the right career. So, at that time winning was an indication that I was going in the right path, and that I should Bhattacharya & Shalini Sahoo bt Arantxa continue my efforts. Afterwards, I had a lot more confidence Andrady & Sayali Bhiilare 6-1, 6-3. and it opened up opportunities for me to start playing more international tournaments. It was a start of an amazing journey. UNDER-18 BOYS: Abhijeet Tiwari bt Ronit I was off to a good start with Fenesta. The door of Bisht 6-1, 6-3. opportunities opened a little more for me. Doing well in the UNDER-18 GIRLS: Nimisha Mohan bt international tournaments that followed, led me to an amazing Sweta Kumari Solanki 6-2, 6-0. University where I received a great education and a couple of degrees. UNDER-16 BOYS: Ronit Bisht bt Divgijay The feeling was special. Many tennis players in India want Singh 4-6, 6-0, 3-0 (retired). to win this tournament, and I wished for the same. The best UNDER-16 GIRLS: Shweta Chandra Rana memory I have is my family and team being there for me and bt Prarthana Thombare 6-0, 6-0; Doubles: to celebrate the moment with me. I am very happy with my tennis career. In the midst of all the Ankita Raina & Shweta Chandra Rana bt hard work, there were beautiful days where I realised that I was Smriti Joon & Pooja Narayana 4-6, 6-4, experiencing the world first hand. Those experiences were not 10-3. only humbling but also formed some of the ideologies that I UNDER-14 BOYS: Ronit Bisht bt Arjun hold so dearly today. I think the organisers who have stuck with Kadhe 6-3, 6-1; Doubles: Ronit Bisht & tennis for a long time have played a crucial role in the success Arjun Kadhe bt Vishal Passi & Ajay Yadav of many players. They have shown trust and support for the 6-2, 6-2. players. It can get difficult for most players to deal with external issues when they have to already work very hard to compete UNDER-14 GIRLS: Sansita Nandakumar bt and do well against players who might be working equally Prarthana Thombare 5-7, 6-3, 6-2; Doubles: hard. These organisers are part of a team that players need to TirthaIska & Prarthana Thombare bt Amrita succeed in achieving their goals. Mukherjee & Sai Samhitha 6-4, 6-1. Indian tennis is blessed to have the support from the DCM Shriram group.

79 2011 Yuki Bhambri and emerge champions T WAS THE RIGHT to win the national championship! The prize money for the men was increased to Rs.150,000 and that of women’s to Rs. 100,000. DCM Shriram Group was returning to support the game after the Commonwealth Games. Yuki Bhambri tamed Vishnu Vardhan 6-4, 7-6(6) to clinch the men’s title. He had beaten Saketh Myneni 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 in the semifinals. The field had some of the best players and past champions like MohitMayur, I PC Vignesh, , Vinod Sridhar and Nitin Kirtane, who was tamed by Ankita Sachdeva in the pre-quarterfinals. Asian junior champion, 15-year-old Rutuja Bhosale, coached by Sandeep Kirtane, beat surprise finalist IshaLakhani, who was more into coaching than playing. Rutuja had earlier beaten former champion Rushmi Chakravarthi. Isha had beaten Sowjanya Bavisetti and Sheethal Goutham in the earlier rounds. PrarthanaThombare and Rishika Sunkara were some of the other prominent players in the women’s field. Arjun Kadhe and Sri Vaishnavi Peddi Reddy wont he under-18 boys and girls titles respectively. SimranKaurSethi recovered from the disappointment of the final loss in the under-18 event, to win the under-16 title the following week. made the first impressions with the under-14 title. Karan Salwan and Dhruv Pal battled their way to the boys under-16 and 14 titles respectively. Dhruv in particular had it tough in the semifinals, before he wriggled out to a 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 win over Vishu Prasad.

THE RESULTS (FINALS) Men: Yuki Bhambribt Vishnu Vardhan 6-4, 7-6 (6); Doubles: Arjun Kadhe &

80 Mr. Anil Khanna in conversation with Ms. Sania Mirza, Mr Ajay S Ms. Sania Mirza being welcomed by Mr. Ajay S Shriram at the Shriram and Mr Ajit S Shriram also sitting alongside Fenesta Open Nationals 2011

Ms. Sania Mirza, presenting trophy to Yuki Bhambri, Mens Ms. Sania Mirza presenting trophy to Vishnu Vardhan, Mens Singles (Winner), Fenesta Open National Tennis Championship Singles (Runners- up) Fenesta Open Nationals 2011 2011

81 Nitin Kirtane bt P. C. Vignesh & Vijay Sundar Prashanth 6-3, 7-5. VIJAY SUNDAR PRASHANTH Women: Rutuja Bhosale bt Isha Lakhani When I was in the first year of under-14, I started to travel for 6-3, 6-3; Doubles: Sharmada Balu & Rishika tournaments. I played the qualifying event if I am not wrong. Sunkara bt Treta Bhattacharya & Rushmi It was probably the one tournament of the year, in entire Chakravarthi 3-6, 6-2, 10-4. India, when all the players came together to play. First time, it was hard for me to digest. I had not seen so UNDER-18 BOYS: Arjun Kadhe bt Mohit many players, so many parents, and so many people in Mayur 7-5, 6-1; Doubles: Vilasier Khate one place. So, I just wanted to leave. As time went on, I got to & Shaikh Abdullah bt Vinod Gowda & know more players. I could meet everyone, men to under-14, Vishwesh Sinha 6-1, 5-7, 10-5. together. As a 14 year old, when I came for the tournament, all UNDER-18 GIRLS: Sri Vaishnavi Peddi Reddy under-14 kids used to watch men’s nationals. Top players in bt Simran Kaur Sethi 2-6, 6-4, 6-1; Doubles: India competed against each other. Best of five sets finals. You Namita Bal & Prarthana Thombare bt Amrita get inspired by watching those players. Those top players Mukherjee & Sai Samhitha 6-3, 6-4. were sponsored for their clothing, which was unheard for me, UNDER-16 BOYS: Karan Salwan bt Fatehdeep in India. Singh 7-6 (5), 6-4; Doubles: Dhruv Agarwal All these things gave me motivation to play the Shriram & Karan Salwan bt Gagan Sharma & Deepak Open, to play hard, and win the nationals. It motivated us to work hard to play through the year. To make the draw was Vishvakarma 6-0, 7-5. the top goal for most of the players through the year. The idea UNDER-16 GIRLS: Simran Kaur Sethi bt was to make the main draw, get seeded and take it from there. Tarrannum Handa 7-5, 6-0; Doubles: I enjoyed my journey, for sure. I have set targets. I don’t Snehadevi Reddy & Dhruti Venugopal bt judge myself based on what I achieve. I have really enjoyed Simran Kaur Sethi & Ambika Pande 6-3, 3-6, the journey. Looking back, I could have done so many things 10-8. in a different way. I don’t think too much about it. I am happy with the journey I have taken. There is a lot of room for UNDER-14 BOYS: Dhruv Pal btSachin Kumar improvement. Still I want to achieve my targets. Really looking 6-4, 1-6, 6-2; Doubles: Ravi Raswant & Aryan forward to continue playing professional. To the organisers, Goveas bt B. R. Nikshep & Alex Solanki 6-4, congratulations, sponsor for 25 years, year in and year out. 6-4. Hopefully, they will continue it for more years to come. When I was 14, 16 and 18, playing the nationals and winning UNDER-14 GIRLS: Pranjala Yadlapalli bt D. it was such a huge thing. Unfortunately, it is not the case any Nayanika Reddy 7-6 (5), 6-2; Doubles:Shruta more. It is not up to that level that it used to be. I hope it gets Kirti Gunuganti & Pranjala Yadlapalli bt back to that level. I hope playing Shriram Fenesta Open and Snehal Mane & 6-2, 7-5. winning Nationals is taken seriously. That is what I wish.

82 Ms. Sania Mirza presenting trophy to Mohit Mayur, Boys U-18 Ms. Sania Mirza presenting trophy to Rutuja Bhosale, Womens (Runners- up) Fenesta Open Nationals 2011 Singles (Winner) Fenesta Open Nationals 2011

Ms. Sania Mirza presenting trophy to Arjun Kadhe, Boys U-18 Ms. Sania Mirza presenting trophy to Isha Lakhani, Womens (Winner) Fenesta Open Nationals 2011 Singles (Runners-up) Fenesta Open Nationals 2011

83 2012 Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Prerna Bhambri take the court by storm

N THE YEAR OF THE Olympics, Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan won his maiden national title, even as Olympian Sania Mirza came up with a masterstroke of equal prize money for women in the championship. Despite having won international titles, Jeevan showed up to win a title that had been won by many notable players in the past. He handled the challenge from the 18-year-old Arjun Kadhe with conviction after a competitive first set. I The maturity and understanding of Jeevan was visible when he appreciated

Mr. , Mr. Ajay S. Shriram and Mr. Anil Khanna Mr. Ajay S. Shriram and Col Chauhan, DLTA with winners of Fenesta Open with winners of Fenesta Open Junior Nationals 2012 Junior Nationals 2012

84 Mr. Anil Khanna, Ms. Sania Mirza, Mr. Ajay S Shriram and Jeevan and Arjun Kadhe after the finals of Mens Singles Mr. Vikram S Shriram watching the finals at DLTA, Fenesta Open Nationals 2012

Ms. Sania Mirza presenting trophy to Jeevan Neduncheziyan, Jeevan Neduncheziyan & Prerna Bhambri Winner of Mens and Mens Singles (Winner) Fenesta Open Nationals 2012 Womens Singles, Fenesta Open Nationals 2012

Ms. Sania Mirza presenting trophy Mr. Ajay S Shriram and Ms. Sania Mirza along with Mr. Anil Khanna releasing the to Rishika Sunkara, Womens Singles Souvenir, Fenesta Open National Tennis Championship 2012 (Runners-up) Fenesta Open Nationals 2012

85 the big serves of Arjun, but pointed out that modern tennis revolved a lot around strong legs, and better physical fitness. JEEVAN NEDUNCHEZHIYAN ‘’I know a lot of players have won this and gone on to better levels. I am happy to join My experience of playing Fenesta was always of pleasant them’’, Jeevan said. Taking a cue from some memories. As I grew up, this was the big tournament of the leading players, the left-handed Jeevan went on year. Players in all age groups came for this. It was the Mecca to focus on the doubles to progress fast into the of tennis. All the best players in men’s tennis came for this, Grand Slam circuit. when I was 14 or 15, and were competing hard for this title. Young players Ramkumar Ramanathan and There was a sense of history and sense of pride when you Mohit Mayur caught the eye with their strong were playing this tournament. Being a junior, I remember game. They won the doubles title from the brink winning the junior doubles with Sanam Singh. I think I of defeat in the final against Kaza Vinayak Sharma watched Sanam play a great match against Sandeep Kirtane, and Vivek Shokeen to further emphasise their who was a Davis Cup player. It was a great interaction for the promising juniors to play against the best men’s players. I potential. Prerna Bhambri recovered from being think that is lacking now, as the best juniors don’t get to play down 2-6, 2-5 against top seed Rishika Sunkara the seniors that much. That was what I really liked about the to win the women’s title for the second time. It Nationals. was a fairy tale finish for Prerna, who had saved For me personally, when I look back, in 2012 when I won it, two match points to beat Prarthana Thombare I was struggling with an abdominal tear, which had occurred 6-7(8), 7-6(8), 6-0 in the first round. and I was training in Germany. There were a few Futures, There was ample reward for the champion, coming up in October. I hadn’t played matches in about two as the Chairman and Managing Director of months because of the abdominal injury. I remember looking DSCL, Mr. Ajay Shriram, announced equal prize at the national championship as a great preparation for the money for women, in a quick response to the international circuit for me, with tournaments scheduled in suggestion by chief guest Sania Mirza. ‘’Coming Mumbai and Pune, if I remember right. to this tournament is quite nostalgic for me. It is So, I went into the tournament to just play a few matches. getting better every year’’, Sania had said. The mind set was focused on how the stomach holds up when you serve for three sets. I was lucky enough to get to So, the women’s champion was presented Rs. play three sets straight away. I think I played three sets with 150,000 and the runner-up Rs. 100,000, instead Ajai Selvaraj, played Vijay Kannan, a champion of the past. of original figures of, one lakh and Rs. 65,000. Good matches all around. It worked out great for my body Pranjala Yadlapalli won the girls under-18 title, and I was able to win the title. A very special thing for me to and could have added the under-16 as well but win in Delhi. It helped me win the Mumbai ITF men’s Futures for losing way from 6-2, 3-1 against Snehadevi two weeks later also. I was feeling very confident after the Reddy. title. A title is a title, as you win five matches. This confidence Rishabh Aggarwal won the under-18 boys title translated to success at the international level. This was my and Garvit Batra the under-16 title. BR Nikshep

86 experience. Good matches help you get better. well. It is still a learning experience. Never easy to go into When I visit Delhi, people coaching and the players the Grand Slams and have good runs. I am on the right learning, respect the fact that I won the national track.I am enjoying the journey. I love travelling and love championship in Delhi. It has prestige still attached to it. It meeting new people in the tennis circuit. I never looked at had a great impact for me. Only once I did not make time it as a hassle, or a difficult thing to do for my career. I enjoy to play the national championship. But, I am happy when all these aspects. I learn so much about life, and how to I needed matches, we had an option to play a tournament be a good person through what it takes to be a very good of this level. It definitely had a great impact on my career tennis player. and I have made a lot of friends. I have a lot of respect for the organisers who are sticking The year I had played, Sania Mirza had come for the by the game for 25 years. The consistency in conducting final. It was the first time they decided to have equal prize this tournament is great for the game by the DSCL/ money for men and women. It was a cool idea. The fact Shriram people. I remember the first year. Dushan Deo that Sania came and watched was great. It was a great was there on the mike, making funny announcements. initiative by Sania to propose equal prize money as the He was a great human being. I miss him. He was around men and women were playing equal number of sets and for many years. There were so many people who worked spending equal time on court. Prerna Bhambri had won behind the scenes to organise such a great tournament. the women’s title. That was a sweet memory I had. For the It had a great impact on my childhood, travelling to organisers to take the suggestion so quickly and obviously North India and playing such good tournaments. It gave Anil Khanna must have agreed promptly, to execute the me the opportunity to come back from College tennis idea with immediate effect. It was a great initiative by to win the title and gain confidence. So, a lot of good Sania. things when I look back at the tournament. Juniors are Playing tennis is a 24-hour job. I do help people, any present, seniors present, juniors playing a lot of tennis, juniors regardless of any country. I make time for them. they play men. One year Divij Sharan played the junior I have had a blessed career, being top 10 in juniors in the final, junior doubles final and the men’s final. Great chance world. Great time in college tennis. Been in the top 300 in for the juniors to gauge where they stand in the game. singles. Doubles pro in the Grand Slams now. Apart from playing the international circuit, if you play The sport has given me so much, I love giving back to the senior players from your own country, it gives you the young players when they are trying to figure out where a good perspective. So many good things about playing they belong and how best they can enjoy tennis. Having the national championship that can benefit your career. seen different facets of the game, I can say that I can I hope the organisers stick around for many more years. provide inputs for most. Hope there are more such tournaments with many events, I am 30 years. I am still playing. Very happy that my which will be good incentive for the players. We will be body is holding up. Living in the present.I am very happy building great memories for the juniors, who would want playing Grand Slams which was my childhood dream. I to play tennis after a certain age, or have the passion to know that I am a few more Grand Slams away from doing continue.

87 gave hints of his all-round game by winning the Tokas 6-4, 6-0. under-14 event. UNDER-18 GIRLS: Pranjala Yadlapalli bt Vanshika Sawhney won the under-14 girls Tarrannum Handa 6-7(8), 6-0, 7-5; Doubles: title, by beating Mihika Yadav. She also won Himani Mor & Vanshika Sawhney bt Jahnavi the under-18 and under-16 doubles titles with Gupta & Vineeta Singh 6-2, 6-3. Himani Mor. She went on to focus on her studies and joined the medical college. UNDER-16 BOYS: Garvit Batra bt Shashank Nautiyal 7-5, 4-6, 6-2; Doubles: Vishu Prasad THE RESULTS (FINALS) & Deepak Vishvakarma bt Tejas Kapoor & Men: Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan bt Arjun Raswant Ravi 6-3, 6-4. Kadhe 7-6(4), 6-1. Doubles: Mohit Mayur & R. UNDER-16 GIRLS: Snehadevi Reddy bt Pranjala Ramkumar bt Kaza Vinayak Sharma & Vivek Yadlapalli 2-6, 6-4, 6-1; Doubles: Himani Mor & Shokeen 5-7, 7-6(5), 10-3. Vanshika SawhneybtJahnavi Gupta &Vineeta Singh 6-2, 7-5. Women: Prerna Bhambri bt Rishika Sunkara 2-6, UNDER-14 BOYS: B. R. Nikshep bt Sanil Jagtiani 7-6(7), 4-1 (retired); Doubles: Treta Bhattacharya 6-1, 6-0; Doubles: Nitin Sinha & Vikash Singh bt & Natasha Palha bt Prerna Bhambri & Rishika Shramay Dhawan & Sumit Singh 6-4, 7-6(3). Sunkara 6-4, 0-6, 10-7. UNDER-14 GIRLS: Vanshika Sawhney bt UNDER-18 BOYS: Rishabh Aggarwal bt Karan MihikaYadav 6-4, 7-6(4); Doubles: Nandini Salwan 6-1, 6-2; Doubles: Anvit Bendre & Sharma & Mihika Yadav bt Zeel Desai & Snehal Shaikh Abdullah bt Shailender Boniface & Garry Mane 7-6(2), 6-2.

The first time I went to Delhi was in 2007 for Fenesta’s passion towards tennis is highlighted “the Fenesta Nationals, as a 13 year old. It was by the continuous years they have sponsored the biggest national tournament I had been to this event. Also equal prize money for both men as far as the draw size and ranking points were and women shows us the company’s modern concerned. I made the under-14 singles finals that ways of thinking and support towards equal year. rights for women. Since 2007, I have played the Fenesta Winning a trophy is always special. In Nationals twice in 2012, 2013 and 2018. I have 2012, 2013, I was winner in doubles with Treta always considered it a tournament of prestige Bhattacharya. In 2018, I was the runner up in and pride. Considering the number of entries women’s Singles. Therefore, this tournament this tournament gets from both men and women, holds a special place in my heart! it is amazing how matches have always been conducted on time, and conducted fairly. NATASHA PALHA

88 Fenesta is not just a tournament but has been with sports. They have always pushed me into trying “a Tennis gala for every Indian tennis player. I to get better in anything I do. I have completed two have really enjoyed playing this tournament postgraduate courses - an MBA, specialising in over the years. Winning it four times and that too Human Resources and another Masters degree in consecutively has been an amazing feeling. Knowing International Relations. that I have created history by doing that is an icing on I got married earlier this year. My husband Ayush the cake. Tandon really understands what it is like being a I have grown up watching my elder siblings play player and all the work we need to put in behind the the DCM Shriram Open or DSCL as we called it, and scene and is very supportive. He actually makes sure winning it. Ankita, Sanaa, Prateek and Yuki had won that I don’t miss out on any of my training session several singles and doubles titles at this tournament. post the wedding too. It has been a great run. Playing, Watching their matches as a junior, I wanted to travelling and competing on the WTA circuit all over carry forward the baton. Fenesta has another great the world has been an amazing experience. You meet significance for me. Prateek started coaching me a so many new people in so many different countries. couple of months before my first Fenesta win. It gave It is a treasure trove of experiences. In the words of me the extra edge I needed to pull off the win, and my brother Prateek, ‘’It’s a life everyone would kill to we have had a great run ever since . He has a great have, but a love they still wouldn’t understand. eye for specifics and working with him has had a Haha ..!’’ tremendous impact on my game. I have really been I’m glad my parents put me in this sport. lucky to have him in my box. To create an event of this scale and then to My first win here gave me a great boost and continuously run it year after year takes utmost instilled a great amount of confidence in me . Playing dedication and passion. The whole tennis against the top women players of the country and community of India is definitely indebted to the ending on top of the ladder was a great feeling. It has Shriram family for their continuous effort to make encouraged me to keep working harder. It gave me this a massive success. It is by far the biggest and a lot of confidence and self belief as a player which grandest tennis event of the country. It is not just helped me in winning several ITF tournaments. a tennis tournament but a tennis festival for every I remember playing the long open qualifying draw Indian player. as a young kid. The thrill of being here all day and The media coverage of the event is spectacular. trying to qualify to play the main draw where both The progress of the players is covered in all the Ankita and Sanaa used to compete, was immense. papers and new journals online . The constant As a young girl playing this mega event, It had exposure in the form of pictures , headlines and news always been a dream to win the tournament and articles is a great morale booster for all the players . I must say that it has been an absolutely amazing We all go through every paper in the morning during journey , going through the draws over the years and the week , knowing that we might find a mention of then actually winning, not once but multiple times. our progress in the tournament reflected in them. My family has always believed that players PRERNA BHAMBRI should also try to complete their education along

89 2013 Mohit Mayur and Prerna Bhambri clinch the titles T WAS THE SECOND successive national title for Prerna Bhambri, while Mohit Mayur denied Arjun Kadhe for a second time in the men’s final. Prerna beat Shweta Rana in the women’s final. It was the second loss in a final for Shweta, and she won the doubles title with Rushmi Chakravarthi, beating Prerna and SharmadaBalu. Shweta had beaten Sharmada in three sets in the singles semifinals. I Prerna had beaten the former champion Rushmi, who had competed in the London Olympics with Sania Mirza, in the quarterfinals. Mohit Mayur had the big game and was able to highlight his all-round craft,

Mr. Rajiv Gupta, Secretary- Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs, Winners Fenesta Open Junior Nationals 2013- Vanshika Govt. of India presenting gift to Arjun Khade, Mens Singles Sawney, Mihika Yadav, B.R Nikshep and Nitin Sinha (Runners-up) Fenesta Open Nationals 2013 90 Mr. Rajiv Gupta presenting trophy to Shweta Rana, Womens Mr. Rajiv Gupta presenting trophy to Prerna Bhambri, Singles (Runners-up), Fenesta Open Nationals 2013 Womens Singles (Winner), Fenesta Open Nationals 2013

Mr. Rajiv Gupta presenting trophy to Vanshika Sawhney & Mr. Rajiv Gupta presenting trophy to Snehal Mane & Nandini Himani Mor, Girls U-18 Singles (Runners-up) Fenesta Open Sharma, Girls U-18 Singles (Winners) Fenesta Open Nationals 2013

Mr. Anil Khanna signing the memento while Mr. Ajay S Winners and Runners-Up of the Boys U-16 Fenesta Open Junior Shriram looks on during the 19th Fenesta Open Nationals Nationals prize distribution ceremony

91 honed at the training base in Spain thanks to the UNDER-18 BOYS: Hardeep Singh Sandhu bt support of the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association. Mukund Sasikumar 7-6(3), 6-4; Doubles: Deepak The progress was distinct as Mohit had lost the Vishwakarma & Aditya Deswal bt Alex Solanki & quarterfinals to Arjun the previous year. B. R. Nikshep 6-3, 6-4. Arjun did have the consolation of winning the UNDER-18 GIRLS: Sai Samhitha bt Simran Kaur doubles title, in partnership with Mohit Mayur. Sethi 5-7, 6-3, 6-2; Doubles: Snehal Mane & It was a test of character more than tennis skills Nandini Sharma bt Vanshika Sawhney & Himani when Mohit challenged the former champion Mor 6-0, 4-6, 10-7. Nitin Kirtane in the singles semIfinals, and pulled through in three sets. BOYS UNDER-16: B. R. Nikshep bt Udayan Bhakar Shweta was training with coach Todd Clark as 4-6, 6-4, 6-3; Doubles: B. R. Nikshep & Alex the Harvest Academy in Jassowal, Ludhiana. There Solanki bt Sanil Jagtiani & Parikshit Somani 6-4, was proof of Todd Clark’s good work, as Hardeep 6-2. Singh Sandhu tamed Sasi Kumar Mukund 7-6(3), BOYS UNDER-14: Nitin Kumar Sinha bt Yugal 6-4 for the under-18 boys title. Sai Samhitha added Bansal 6-3, 6-2; Doubles: Gurjot Singh & to the joy of Tamil Nadu by winning the under-18 Mritunjay Badola bt Himanshu Mor & Kabir girls title, at the expense of Simran Kaur Sethi Manrai 6-1, 6-1. in three sets. Simran had beaten the talented, GIRLS UNDER-16: Vanshika Sawhney bt Ramya tall and wiry in three sets in the Natarajan 7-5, 6-2; Doubles: Vanshika Sawhney & semifinals. Himani Mor bt R Abinikka & Isha Budwal 6-2, 7-5. Nitin Kumar Sinha took the baby steps in his bright career, with the under-14 title, while BR GIRLS UNDER: 14: Mihika Yadav bt Ramya Nikshep continued to highlight his all-round game Natarajan 6-3, 6-2; Doubles: Sarah Dev & Prinkle with the under-16 trophy. Vanshika Sawhney and Singh bt Harsha Sai Challa & Sathwika Sama 6-3, Mihika Yadav won the under-16 and under-14 titles 2-6, 10-7. respectively, beating the same opponent, Ramya Natarajan.

THE RESULTS (FINALS) Men: Mohit Mayur bt Arjun Kadhe 6-3, 6-1; Doubles: Arjun Kadhe & Mohit Mayur bt P. C. Vignesh & Fariz Mohammad 6-4, 6-4.

Women: Prerna Bhambri bt Shweta Rana 7-5, 6-2; Doubles: Rushmi Chakravarthi & Shweta Rana bt Sharmada Balu & Prerna Bhambri 6-4, 7-5.

92 Mr. Rajiv Gupta and Mr. Ajay S Shriram presenting trophy & Cheque to Mohit Mayur Jayaprakash, Mens Singles (Winner) Fenesta Open Nationals 2013

SASI KUMAR MUKUND All the men’s Rs.50,000 and one lakh event that I had played. It was my first ever big tournament that I saw in my If there is something that defines tennis it is the life. When Vishnu Vadhan was playing back in 2008, it Fenesta Nationals in Delhi. It is not just a tournament, looked like a Grand Slam to me at that time. it has become a tradition, where everyone played and My dream came true in 2013 where each match was champions were made. It was a pathway to many Davis a memory when i made the under 18 final. Every match Cuppers like me, who once played there. We all have to was filled with emotions, determination and so much be grateful to the sponsors for keeping this wonderful responsibility to go out there with your childhood tradition. I wish this event goes on for many years to friends watching you. It was the week that changed my come, for all of us to talk about. It used be like a festival, life forever and made me believe that I could be a good like a wedding, that united the tennis family. It was this player. tournament where you met all your friends, boys, girls, I made my first ATP point days after I made the finals. men and women from different parts of the country. As i said, it gave me a lot of confidence after that, to go You meet the parents and many different coaches, out there and compete hard. I may be competing so whom you don’t get to meet so regularly in one place. much abroad now. But, my life in tennis began at home. It is more like a family reunion for everyone, at least it My first ATP point, my first ITF Futures title, will always was the case when I played. I always wish that more remain very special to me. incentives are given like before and it becomes an More than the Futures, it is smaller cities where i amazing event again where India’s top 10 would be back competed that has given me a lot of amazing memories. in action.

93 2014 Vishnu Vardhan wins, Prerna Bhambri stays unbeaten T WAS A HAT-TRICK of national titles for Prerna Bhambri, while it was the maiden title for Vishnu Vardhan, who had competed in the London Olympics with Leander Paes. Prerna beat the challenge from the future star, Karman Kaur Thandi, in three sets. Karman did win the under-18 singles title and the women’s doubles title with Sai Samhitha to emphasise her growing stature. It was the right time to win the national crown, as the prize money had been I doubled to Rs.300,000 for the winners and Rs.200,000 for the runners-up both

Mr. Mahesh Bhupati Presenting the trophy to Mr. Mahesh Bhupati Presenting the trophy to Nitin Kirtane and Saurav Sukul Karman Kaur Thandi, Womens Singles (Runners- Mens Doubles (Runners-up), Fenesta Open Nationals 2014 up), Fenesta Open Nationals 2014

94 Mr. Mahesh Bhupati Presenting trophy to Zeel Desai and Snehal Mane (Winners) Girls U-18 Doubles, Fenesta Open Natioanls 2014

Mahesh Bhupati presenting trophy to Vishnu Vardhan, Mens Mr. Mahesh Bhupati Presenting trophy to Karman Kaur Thandi Singles (Winner), Fenesta Open Nationals 2014 and Sai Samhitha (Winners) Womens Doubles, Fenesta Open Nationals 2014

95 Mr. Ajit S Shriram giving a welcome speech at the prize Full house at the Prize distribution ceremony of Fenesta Open distribution ceremony along with Mr. Sunil Garg, Dy. Sec Nationals Junior 2014 Sports, Govt of India

Siddharth Rawat, Vishnu Vardhan, Prerna Bhambri Winner of Womens and Girls U-18 Fenesta Open Nationals, 2014 & Karman Kaur Thandi, Winner and Runners-up of Mens and Womens Singles, Fenesta Open National Tennis

96 Mr. Sunil Garg, Dy. Sec Sports, Govt of India giving the trophy to Ramya Mr. Sunil Garg, Dy. Sec Sports, Govt of India giving Natarajan and Akshara Iska (Runners-up) for U-16 Girls Doubles, Fenesta the trophy to Vashisht Cheruku, (Winner) U-16 Boys Open Junior Nationals 2014 Singles, Fenesta Open Junior Nationals 2014

Boys U16 and 14 with their trophies at the Fenesta Open Junior Winners Fenesta Open Juniors Nationals 2014-Digvijay Nationals 2014 Pratap Singh, Vashisht Cheruku, Sathwika Sama and Zeel Desai

in the men’s and women’s sections. It was the After the loss in the final to Yuki Bhambri in 2011, fighting spirit of Prerna that came to the fore, this was a welcome addition to the impressive after Karman had got off to an explosive start, resume for Vishnu, coached by CV Nagaraj winning the first set and looking good for the and trained by Mohammed Abdul Latheef. The champion’s trophy. wild cards for the Challengers was the added Vishnu overcame a mid match loss of tempo attraction for the finalists. ‘’Sidharth is a very to tame the fighting Sidharth Rawat in three sets, intelligent player. I almost fell into his trap before

97 Winner of Mens and Boys U-18 Fenesta Open Nationals 2014 returning to my own game to not choke again’’, UNDER-18 BOYS: Vidit Vaghela bt Dalwinder Singh exclaimed Vishnu, whose game revolves around his 6-4, 2-6, 6-4; Doubles: Vashisht Vinod Cheruku & big serve. Prajwal Dev bt Param Pun & Paramveer Bajwa 1-6, Sidharth had done a lot of good work earlier, 6-4, 10-7. in beating the top seed Karunuday Singh in the UNDER-18 GIRLS: Karman Kaur Thandi bt Simran semifinals, after having knocked out defending Kaur Sethi 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (5); Doubles: Zeel Desai & champion Mohit Mayur in the quarterfinals. Snehal Mane bt Mahak Jain & Shivani Ingle 6-3, 6-3. In the under-18 boys final, Vidit Vaghela beat Dalwinder Singh in three sets. UNDER-16 BOYS: Vasisht Cheruku bt BR Nikshep Vishnu had to really fight his way past Ronit Bisht 2-6, 6-2, 7-5; Doubles: Vasisht Vinod Cheruku & 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-4 in the semifinals. Vasisht Cheruku Nitin Kumar Sinha bt Yugal Bansal & Armaan Bhatia and Zeel Desai were strong in winning both the 2-6, 6-4, 10-8. singles and doubles titles in the under-16 boys and UNDER-16 GIRLS: Zeel Desai bt Ramya Natarajan girls events respectively. 7-5, 6-0; Doubles: Zeel Desai & Jennifer Luikham bt AksharaIska & Ramya Natarajan 3-6, 6-3, 10-5. THE RESULTS (FINALS) UNDER-14 BOYS: Digvijay Pratap Singh bt Siddhant Men: Vishnu Vardhan bt Sidharth Rawat 6-2, 4-6, Banthia 6-3, 6-0; Doubles: Rishabh Sharda & 6-3; Doubles: P. C. Vignesh & Kaza Vinayak Sharma Calvin Golmei bt Kabir Manrai & Himanshu Mor bt Nitin Kirtane & Saurav Sukul 6-3, 6-2. 6-4, 7-6(5).

Women: Prerna Bhambri bt Karman Kaur Thandi UNDER-14 GIRLS: Sathwika Sama bt Sabhyata 4-6, 6-4, 6-3; Doubles: Karman Kaur Thandi & Sai Nihalani 6-2, 6-2; Doubles: Sravya Shivani & Samhitha bt & Sharon Paul 4-6, 7-6 (3), Shivani Amineni bt Sai Dedeepya & Humera Shaikh 10-8. 4-6, 6-4, 10-7.

98 It has been a great pleasure playing at the a day. In the process, I learnt a lot about myself “Fenesta Nationals. It is always very well and the mental strength I have to give it all in organised. I thank everyone, the organisers and every match and never give up. the staff for putting in commendable effort to I remember on the day of the finals matches, I make it such a memorable tournament, year played the women’s singles final in the morning after year. against Prerna Bhambri which I lost in a tough For me it holds a very special place. I won battle. And the same day in the evening I played three trophies in that first week, winning the my under-18 finals against Simran Sethi in the under 18 singles title, the women’s doubles title evening. That match had it all, a lot of aggression, with Sai Samitha and making it to the finals of passion, effort and most importantly the spirit of women’s singles. never giving up! It was an amazing week with lots of challenges KARMAN KAUR THANDI every day, because I was playing three matches

Fenesta is the most prestigious tournament to host it for such a long time, so that players like “in our domestic circuit as it has been running us can get hope. for such a long time. It was my breakthrough Earlier, when I played it in juniors it was tournament, as out of nowhere, i reached the called DSCL and the atmosphere was actually men’s final. It provided the momentum for the more exciting because it used to be Open draws international tournaments. and we used to play midnight matches till 2 ‘O So, i cannot forget the moment when i made clock sometimes. But now, it is more systematic the final in 2014. It was a critical time. I was which is good. So the excitement Fenesta brings about to quit tennis in 2014, because my father cannot be matched by any ITF and Challenger had passed away. I gave my best in Fenesta that tournament. Actually, Fenesta has more year and luck favoured me. Othewise, I would be emotions involved. doing something else now. I am very thankful to SIDHARTH RAWAT the Fenesta organisers that they have continued

99 2015 Sriram Balaji and Prerna Bhambri take their mantle T WAS THE FOURTH women’s title in a row for Prerna Bhambri. Sriram Balaji won the men’s title, beating the defending champion and his doubles partner, Vishnu Vardhan. ‘’I came to win this title. I am happy to have won both the singles and doubles titles. I was happy to play my friend and doubles partner in the final. It was not easy. To break his serve three times in the match was special’’, said Balaji. It was a completion of unfinished work in the national championship for Balaji, I as he had lost the final to VM Ranjeet in the final in 2008. Interestingly, Balaji won the doubles title with Ranjeet.

Mr. Ajay S Shriram presenting winner’s cheque to Samhitha Sai Chamarthi, Sriram Balaji, Prerna Bhambri & Vishnu Vardhan Sriram Balaji (Winner), Mens Singles Fenesta Open winners and runners-up of Mens and Womens Fenesta Open Nationals Nationals 2015 2015

100 It has always been special for me, to play “the national championship. For anyone, winning the nationals is a proud feeling. I won the men’s nationals in 2015, this was pending for a long time as I have won Shriram Open in under-16, 18. I don’t think I won under-14, not sure about that. Also, I happened to be the second player in the history of Shriram/ Fenesta nationals to qualify and win the nationals, which I did in 2015. I didn’t send my entry as I was supposed to play some other tournament. It was a last Mr. Bharat Oza, President, MSLTA, Mumbai, presenting trophy to Prerna Bhambri, Womens Singles (Winner), Fenesta Open Nationals 2015 minute plan and AITA had changed the rules to not having any wildcards for the main draw. On the professional tour, I have had decent success in singles. It could have been better. Now I am focusing more on doubles as I believe I can be more dangerous in doubles. To sponsor a tournament for 25 years is a massive shout out to them. We all know how hard it is now a days to find someone to sponsor a tournament. Hope they continue to support the game. I would like to see more big names participating in the Nationals. The tournament and sponsors have to find a way to get everyone playing the Nationals. It can be increase in monetary part or some other benefits. In a way, it is Mr. Ajay S Shriram presenting trophy to Samhitha Sai Chamarthi, Womens Singles (Runners- up), Fenesta Open Nationals 2015 also good for the tournament to have big players. Together we can grow better.

SRIRAM BALAJI

101 Mr. Bharat Oza, President, MSLTA, Mumbai presenting trophies Mr. Bharat Oza, President, MSLTA, Mumbai, presenting trophy to Sathwika Sama & Shivani Ingle, Girls Double U-18 (Winner) to Zeel Desai, Girls Singles U-18 (Winner) at Fenesta Open Fenesta Open Nationals 2015 Nationals 2015

Mr. Ajay S. Shriram presenting trophies to Rishika Sunkara & Mr. Ajit S. Shriram presenting awards to Sanya Singh, Girls Sowjanya Bavisetti, Womens Double (Runners-up) at Fenesta Under-14 (Winner), 2015 Open Nationals 2015

102 It was on second thoughts that Balaji opted to play the national championship, and had to endure the qualifying event, as there was no provision for wild cards in the main draw. In the semifinals, Balaji beat former champion Mohit Mayur, while Vishnu accounted for Ranjeet, firing 15 aces in the process. The 23-year-old Prerna dropped only 16 games in all in winning her five rounds against a string of quality opponents, Mihika Yadav, Vaidehi Chaudhari, Sowjanya Bavisetti, top seed Snehadevi Reddy and the former national junior champion Sai Samhitha. BR Nikshep continued to show his class in the national championship by beating the strong-built Aryan Goveas 7-5 in the decider in the boys under-18 final. Nitin Kumar Sinha and Mann Maulik Shah showed their ability by winning the under-16 and under-14 titles. Zeel Desai fought back from a bad start to beat Sathwika Sama for the under-18 girls title, while Sabhyata Nihalani and Sanya Singh bagged the girls under-16 and under-14 titles. Sabhyata won the under-16 girls doubles title with Mahak Jain, a name that would become more familiar in the future events.

THE RESULTS (FINALS) Men: Sriram Balaji bt Vishnu Vardhan 7-5, 6-3; Doubles: VM Ranjeet & Sriram Balaji bt Shaikh Abdulllah & Mohit Mayur 6-4, 6-7(4), 10-6.

Women: Prerna Bhambri bt Sai Samhitha 6-0, 6-1; Doubles: Snehadevi Reddy & Dhruthi Venugopal bt Rishika Sunkara & Sowjanya Bavisetti 6-4, 6-3.

UNDER-18 BOYS: BR Nikshep bt Aryan Goveas 6-3, 2-6, 7-5; Doubles: Adil Kalyanpur & Parikshit Somani bt Param Pun & Paramveer Singh Bajwa 6-4, 6-3.

UNDER-18 GIRLS: Zeel Desai bt Sathwika Sama 3-6, 6-3, 7-5; Doubles: Sathwika Sama & Shivani Ingle bt Prinkle Singh and Vaidehi Chaudhari 7-5, 1-6, 10-4. Mr. Ajay S Shriram presenting trophies to Snehadevi Reddy & Dhruthi BOYS UNDER-16: Nitin Kumar Sinha Venugopal, Womens Double (Winner), at Fenesta Open Nationals 2015

103 Winners & Runners-up U-16 of Fenesta Open Junior Nationals 2015- Shashikant Rajput, Mann Maulik Shah, Sanya Singh and

bt Parikshit Somani 6-3, 6-0; Doubles: Sivadeep Kosaraju & Rohit Krishna Aynampudi bt Suresh Dakshineshwar & Abhimanyu Vannem Reddy 7-6(4), 4-6, 10-8.

GIRLS UNDER-16: Sabhyata Nihalani bt Akanksha Bhan 7-5, 7-5; Doubles: Mahak Jain & Sabhyata Nihalani bt Sathwika Sama & Shivani Ingle 6-2, 6-0.

BOYS UNDER-14: Mann Maulik Shah bt Shashikant Rajput 6-1, 6-2; Doubles: Shashank Theertha & Rithvik Choudary w.o. Dev Javia & Kevin Mrugesh Patel.

GIRLS UNDER-14: Sanya Singh bt Salsa Aher 6-3, 6-1; Doubles: Anu Verma & Archita Mehalwal bt Salsa Aher & Trisha Vinod 6-2, 5-7, 10-6.

104 Winners & Runners-up U-14 of Fenesta Open Junior Nationals 2015- Parikshit Somani, Sabhyata Nihalani, Nitin Kumar Sinha and Akanksha Bhan

Fenesta Tennis is one of the prestigious tournaments run by our state. It is one of the major events which gets “telecast and promote tennis players of our country. The tournament atmosphere is very positive and energetic which motivates players to compete even better. It is also the only AITA level tournaments which has good prize money. Because of Fenesta we get to see all age groups talent and our emerging juniors. It has been very special for me to reach the women’s finals and winning doubles titles. It gave me more confidence in myself to keep working hard and keep competing. Made me believe in myself and I played my best tennis. I always look forward to this event. SHWETA RANA

105 I was very closely associated with this Gupta is one of the best referees in Asia. I am “championship. I was 14 years old kid, when I talking about 15 years back, when the order of won the sub-junior national title, about 16 or 17 play was not there. Dushan Deo, is no more. years ago. That was the initial start to my tennis May his soul rest in peace. Every single player career. It gave the confidence to my parents and of that era would know him. ‘’Sir, my opponent my coach that tennis can be a career for me. For is not there. Which court,’’ comes to my mind. A a traditional South Indian family, it gave the huge smile on my face.Now so professional, so confidence and served as a good start for my organised, so structured. I don’t have to ask . . . ambition to be a professional player. Being a tennis player, takes the entire time. I Many years later in 2014, when I was have got into being busy as a father. I have been struggling with injury, lost my ranking, I won with ONGC since 2009, and am thankful for the Nationals, and it gave me the assurance the support. HR Manager in the organisation. and confidence. Reached top 400 rank in ATP. Brand Ambassador for tennishub.in, it is doing Eventually, made the decision of moving to exceptionally well in Indian market, since day doubles.Fenesta always a ‘go to’ tournament for one. Contribute to the growth of this company. me.Very prestigious.Am happy that they are Competing on the ATP circuit. I play some league celebrating 25 years of it. matches in Germany. I enjoy being part of the It was always a starting point for me in my team. Something different. career, titles at the national. I attached a lot of Pretty happy and satisfied with my tennis importance to this tournament. Winning gave career.Could have done many things differently. the confidence to go out and try the international Different road map. Got a chance to represent circuit. Even now I tell all the juniors, to win the the country in Davis Cup, won medal in Asian Nationals, be the first in the country, before you Games, contribute to my school, University. go out to the international circuit. First job at the Railways, gold medal in world I still remember the times when we had event. My support team.Couldn’t have asked for Dushan Deo as referee for juniors, started the anything.Got to the Grand Slam.Did compete in matches at 7 in the morning, and it used to go on the London Olympics with Leander Paes, a great till 2 or 3 a.m. Open draw. Anyone could play the honour. nationals. Four or five days of qualification. It Since the beginning, they celebrate tennis. was more like a celebration. Carnival of tennis. They are very passionate about it. They have Early memories.Spent the entire day at the learnt so much over the years. Every year they tennis court, watching my friends play. Every come up with huge collage of photos of previous court had a match going on. It was one centre that year. Players always want to be a part of that. had so many tennis courts. Small things like that lend a personal touch We used to have coffee to stay awake. Really to this event. It is organised at a level of ATP good times.Am happy to think about it, right now. Challenger, with tennis stalls, eateries etc. Very Now, the conduct is very professional. Puneet professionally run by referee, Puneet Gupta,

106 especially in terms of the Order of Play. If anyone had told me that in my young age, I During the qualifying of the sub-juniors, young wouldn’t have believed. I know Rohan now as kids always had a chance to look up at the current a friend. Vijay Kannan is with me in ONGC. I best, men’s players. and learn a lot. When I won have learnt a lot from him, to remain calm and under-14, in my initial years of Shriram Nationals, composed. He is my teammate. in the men’s final Rohan Bopanna lost to Vijay The Nationals has given a lot of memories. Kannan. Bopanna was serving so big. The sound Thank you for giving the opportunity to think of his serve was quite distinct. When I went back about it. Whenever I get a chance, I will play home, I could not get it off my head. I told myself the Nationals. I have always been in touch with that I need to have a serve like that. When I look SN Chatterjee sir, the Tournament Director. He back at my tennis career, that was what I wanted. always used to text me to confirm my availability. The seed for my big serve was sown then. Even if I couldn’t make it to Fenesta, he would still But for the Fenesta Nationals, I would not be happy that I was playing somewhere else. He have got to see Rohan then. I still remember that retired some time back. Very closely associated. match. Rohan had such a big game. Vijay was If I could, I will play this year again. I don’t have a so crafty. Vijay won. We didn’t expect that to singles ranking. Am very happy that the Shriram happen. That showed us a different dimension of group has completed 25 years. My best wishes to the game. them. Keep continuing this patronage for tennis, There would be a day when I was part of the for a long time. Davis Cup team and Rohan would also be there. VISHNU VARDHAN

I have played all the categories in this get our ranking high enough in our country and “tournament and it is always a fun time during it always provides good prize money which can this tournament. It is always well managed help a player cover up their expenses for some despite so many categories. We get umpires more tournaments. My aim is to improve my from the first round in women’s which is great WTA rank, represent my country in Grand Slam, and I guess that is what a player requires more Asian games, Olympics etc. these days. Especially the crowd for the finals The organisers are doing a really nice job of is amazing. Overall, it is a really good national conducting this event for Indian tennis, and I tournament I have played till now. wish them success so that this tournament is Fenesta has always been an important kept going, on and on. It is a very important event tournament for me and I always love to perform for me, because winning every match takes me in this tournament. It helped me in couple of forward in my tennis career. ways like, we get really good national points to ZEEL DESAI

107 2016 Vishnu Vardhan and Riya Bhatia make their mark

T WAS THE FOURTH national singles title for Vishnu Vardhan, the second on hard courts, while the 19-year-old Riya Bhatia clinched her maiden title. Vishnu, who had already won three ITF men’s titles in the season, made it a point to compete in the national championship. He beat the wiry left-hander Siddharth Vishwakarma in the final, with his big serves and crisp volleys. Riya who also had won an ITF women’s title in Egypt tamed Eetee Maheta in I the final, after a tough semifinal against Sharrmadaa Baluu whom she beat 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(5) in three hours and 10 minutes. Riya recovered from being down 3-5 in the tie-break of the decider to march ahead. Riya had fought past Nidhi Chilumula 6-7(7), 6-3, 6-2 in the quarterfinals.

Winners of Fenesta Open Nationals 2016 Winners & Runers-up: Siddharth Vishwakarma, Vishnu Vardhan, Riya Bhatia and Etee Maheta of Men’s & Women’s Singles Fenesta Open Nationals 2016 108 Mr. Ajay S Shriram, Mr. Vikram S Shriram & Mr. Ajit Shriram Mr. Vijay Goel presenting trophy to Riya Bhatia, Womens welcoming Mr. Vijay Goel, Minister of Sports & Youth Affairs, Singles (Winner) at Fenesta Open Nationals 2016 Government of India at Fenesta Open Nationals 2016

Mr. Vijay Goel presenting trophy to S. Vishwakarma, Mens Mr. Ajay S Shriram and Mr. Vijay Goel presenting trophy and Singles (Runners-up) at Fenesta Open Nationals 2016 cheque to Vishnu Vardhan, Mens Singles (Winner) at Fenesta Open Nationals 2016

109 Eetee Maheta & Shweta Rana (Runners-up) Rishika Sunkara & Nitin K. Sinha (Winner) Akansha Bhan (Winner) Humera Shaik Sowjanya Bavisetti (Winners), Womens Double 2016 (Runners-up) Dhruv Sunish (Runners-up), Girls & Boys Singles (U-18) 2016

Mr. Ajay Shriram and Mr. Anil Khanna with all winners of Fenesta Open Junior Nationals 2016

110 ‘’I owe it to my coach CV Nagaraj, trainer Sunish 6-3, 6-4; Doubles: BR Nikshep & Nitin Mohammed Abdul Latheef and my wife Sonia’’, Kumar Sinha bt Dhruv Sunish & Ishaque Eqbal said Vishnu, who works with the Oil and Natural 6-4, 6-3. Gas Corporation (ONGC). UNDER-18 GIRLS: Akanksha Bhan bt Humera It was some commitment from a player who Shaik 6-0, 6-2; Doubles: Doubles (final): Sravya was so engrossed in the international circuit, Shivani & Tanisha Kashyap bt Sabhyata Nihalani and was proceeding to the $125,000 Challenger & Yubarani Banerjee 6-1, 7-6(5). in Tashkent immediately after the national championship. UNDER-16 BOYS: Suresh Dhakshineswar bt Nitn Kumar Sinha and Akanksha Bhan were Siddhant Banthia 5-7, 7-5, 7-6(1); Doubles: Megh quite strong in winning the under-18 boys and Bhargav Patel & Siddhant Banthia bt Rohit girls titles respectively, by beating Dhruv Sunish Aynampudi & Suresh Dhakshineswar 6-2, 6-2. and Humera Shaik. Nitin won the doubles title as UNDER-16 GIRLS: Salsa Aher bt Prinkle Singh well with BR Nikshep. 6-2, 6-0; Doubles: Vaidehi Chaudhari & The 6’3’’ Suresh Dhakshineswar won the Yubarani Banerjee bt Sai Dedeepya & Salsa Aher under-16 boys title, with a hard fought 5-7, 7-5, 2-6, 6-2, 14-12. 7-6(1) victory over Siddhant Banthia. The latter UNDER-14 BOYS: Ajay Malik bt VM Sandeep won the doubles title with Megh Bhargav Patel. 6-4, 6-4; Doubles: Dev Javia & VM Sandeep bt Salsa Aher took a firm step forward with her Jaishvin Singh Sidana & Aaryan Zaveri 0-6, 6-4, fluent left-hand game with the under-16 girls title. 10-6. Ajay Malik with his rough background in setting up a court in Haryana for training fetched a lot UNDER-14 GIRLS: Sarah Dev bt Sharannya of attention on way to the under-14 boys title, Gaware 6-1, 4-6, 6-3; Doubles: Malikaa Marathe while Sarah Dev battled in a three-setter with & Sandeepti Singh Rao bt Mushrath Anjum Sharannya Gaware for the under-14 girls title. Shaik & Srujana Rayarala 2-6, 6-1, 10-8.

THE RESULTS (FINALS) Men: Vishnu Vardhan bt Siddharth Vishwakarma 6-3, 6-4; Doubles: Kunal Anand & Anvit Bendre bt Paramveer Singh Bajwa & Param Pun 7-5, 6-4.

Women: Riya Bhatia bt Eetee Maheta 7-6(7), 6-3; Doubles: Rishika Sunkara & Sowjanya Bavisetti bt Eetee Maheta & Shweta Rana 4-6, 6-1, 10-7.

UNDER-18 BOYS: Nitin Kumar Sinha bt Dhruv

111 2017 Dalwinder Singh and Mahak Jain create a wave

MAHAK JAIN STOLE THE show, as the 16-year-old won the women’s title. Quite appropriately the gymnastics heroine from the Rio Olympics felicitated her with the trophy. Quite small, Mahak may easily pass off as a gymnast, but put her on a tennis court, she can make it hard for the best of players to counter her sharp game. ‘’I was confident’’ said Mahak, after winning the title, beating the favourite M and top seed Zeel Desai 7-5, 6-3 in the final. Zeel had beaten Mahak in the international circuit, but had lost to her as well. ‘’It was the first time I watched a tennis match. It felt very good. Keep working hard’’, said Dipa, who had narrowly missed the Olympic medal in Rio in 2016. Mahak did not drop a set in any of the earlier rounds against Tanisha Kashyap, second seed Sai Samhitha, former Asian junior champion Snehadevi Reddy and Sathwika Sama. Dalwinder Singh beat top seed and fellow trainee from the Harvest Academy SurajPrabodh 6-3, 6-4 in the final. It was a dream come true for Dalwinder, who has been struggling to put together his big game for meaningful results to take his tennis career forward. It was an unbelievable result for Dalwinder who had started in the tournament, losing the first set at love against lucky loser Paras Dahiya. He also had to overcome a tough battle on losing the first set against Nitin Kumar Sinha. Haadin Bava, seeded second, had a string of good wins against Aryan Goveas, Jayesh Pungliya and Arjun Kadhe, but lost in straight sets to Dalwinder. Bava did win the doubles title with Aryan Goveas, beating the theSood twins, Chandril and Lakshit. SurajPrabodh beat some tough players like Nitin Kirtane and Manish Suresh

112 Ms. Dipa Karmarkar (Indian Gymnast) with winners of Fenesta Open Nationals 2017

DALWINDER SINGH I would win the national championship one day. I feel that I have achieved something with my tennis. It was a great feeling to win the Fenesta National We have to play a lot of international tournaments championship. I will try to win it again. I will to get better. No point playing the domestic also play the ITF circuit and do better. There are tournaments, it does not help to improve the standard. no tournaments in India. Hard to build on your From the academy, me, Suraj Prabodh, Harvinder international ranking. I had reached up to 700 in the Singh and Jatin Dahiya will travel for tournaments. world. When we go out to compete, it is not easy to In ITF events, everyone is a good player. you need win. It takes time. to be mentally strong to win matches. If you drop The National championship, I was determined to serve once, it may be difficult to get back into that set. win. My family was very happy. I was perhaps the first I have got a job with the Navy. They have told me player from Punjab to win the title. The owner of the to just play tennis. Suraj was already there. We have to Harvest Tennis Academy, Harvinder Singh Saran, was play their tournament once a year. happy that I became the national champion. I had We can improve by playing more tournaments learnt all my tennis at the academy from a young age. and against different players. I have studied up to 12th I have been playing there from the time I was 13. standard in a government school. Will try to complete Everything was given to me. I have not spent one graduation. Fenesta National is the best tournament rupee for my tennis. Racquets, shoes and everything. in India. I am grateful to the organisers for supporting Tennis is a very expensive game. I never thought that tennis so well.

113 Mr. Ajit S Shriram presenting Cheque to Zeel Desai, Womens Singles (Runners-up) Fenesta Open Nationals 2017 with Ms. Dipa Karmarkar (Indian Gymnast) and Mrs. Praveen Mahajan, AITA

Kumar, but things did not work for him in the Men: Dalwinder Singh bt Suraj Prabodh 6-3, final, against the explosive game of Dalwinder. 6-4; Doubles: Aryan Goveas & Haadin Bava bt The talented and free-stroking Sacchitt Chandril Sood & Lakshit Sood 6-4, 6-4. Sharma and Vaidehi Chaudhari won the under-18 boys and girls titles respectively. Women: Mahak Jain bt Zeel Desai 7-5, 6-3; Tanisha Kashyap won the under-18 doubles Doubles: Shweta Rana & Snehadevi Reddy bt title with Sravya Shivani and the under-16 singles Sai Dedeepya & Sara Yadav 6-3, 6-3. title. Mann Maulik Shah stepped it up to add the under-16 title to his collection. Ajay Malik had UNDER-18 BOYS: Sacchitt Sharma bt Dhruv to be content with the under-14 title. Sandeepti Sunish 6-3, 6-4; Doubles: Siddhant Banthia Singh Rao was quite bubbly in marching to the & Megh Bhargav Patel bt Atharva Sharma & girls under-14 trophy. Dhruv Sunish 6-2, 1-6, 10-6.

UNDER-18 GIRLS: Vaidehi Chaudhari bt THE RESULTS (FINALS)

114 Ms. Dipa Karmarkar (Indian Gymnast), presenting trophy to Mahak Mr. Narender Kumar, DLTA giving trophy to Siddhant Bathia and Jain, Womens Singles (winner) Fenesta Open Nationals 2017 Megh Bhargav Patel (Winners) Boys Under -18 Doubles Fenesta Open Nationals 2017

Ms. Dipa Karmarkar (Indian Gymnast) presenting trophies to Dedeepya Y. Sai & Sara Yadav, Womens Double (Runners up) Fenesta Open Nationals 2017

115 Akanksha Bhan 6-3, 6-0; Doubles: Tanisha Kashyap & Sravya Shivani bt Akanksha Bhan & Vaidehi Chaudhari 6-3, 7-5. When I was the National titles first time, I was “very happy. It is the most prestigious tournament UNDER-16 BOYS: Mann Maulik Shah bt Kevin Mrugesh of the year. Winning it the second time, and Patel 6-2, 6-2; Doubles: Rithvik Choudary & Dev Javia bt defending the title was great. Beating four-time Sarthak Suden & Dhruv Tangri 6-3, 6-4. champion Prerna Bhambri in a tough match, in UNDER-16 GIRLS: Tanisha Kashyap bt Prinkle Singh the semifinals last year, was satisfying. 6-1, 6-4; Doubles: Kaavya Sawhney & Prinkle Singh bt I like the whole environment with so many Tanisha Kashyap & Prerna Vichare 0-6, 7-5, 10-4. people. Very good to have all the players around, coming from all over the country. UNDER-14 BOYS: Ajay Malik bt Krishan Hooda 7-5, 4-6, I am trying to play the international 6-2; Doubles: Chirag Duhan & Kartik Saxena bt Arjun tournaments, to take my tennis career forward. I Kundu & Dhanya Shah 6-0, 1-6, 10-5. have Board exams. I need to focus on that also. UNDER-14 GIRLS: Sandeepti Singh Rao bt Rutuja Am glad that the international circuit has Chaphalkar 6-1, 6-1; Doubles: Mushrath Anjum Shaik changed the rule back to award WTA points for & Srujana Rayarala bt Rutuja Chaphalkar & Naisha ITF entry level tournaments. It is much better now. We will have more tournaments to play. I Srivastav 6-2, 6-1. am focused on getting better physically. I am sure we will get better by playing more tournaments. We need to play at least 20 tournaments a year. Need to make the best of every tournament we play. We decided to stop competing in the juniors, even though it was a goal early in one’s career. You have to move on, as eventually you have to compete against the women. I am working on my serve and foot work. Trained and competed in the US this season to be better prepared. Played a $30,000 USTA tournament and won it. The Fenesta people have been organising really well. I love the environment. It is great that I won women’s singles two years. Will try to play and win again, as it is the best tournament in the Indian tennis season.

Mr. Rupinder Pal Singh (Indian Hockey Player) presenting trophy to MAHAK JAIN Ajay Malik, Boys Under-14 (Winner) Fenesta Open Nationals 2017

116 Mr. Rupinder Pal Singh (Indian Hockey Player) and Mr. Ajay S Shriram with all winners of Fenesta Open Junior Nationals 2017

Sacchit Sharma and Vaidehi Chaudhari winners of Under-18 Fenesta Open Nationals 2017

Mr. Rupinder Pal Singh (Indian Hockey Player) presenting trophy to Mann Maulik Shah, Boys Under-16 (Winner) Fenesta Open Nationals 2017

117 SURAJ PRABODH

Needless to remark that the Fenesta is the biggest hardcourt tournament. Thus, it automatically lifts the spirit to such an extent that one can clearly say it is much superior to other tournaments in the country. Through the years of my participation in it, I have had mixed results. Finishing runner- up to my friend and fellow Lakshit Sood, Chandril Sood, Mens Doubles (Runners-up) & Bava Haadin Mens trainee at the Harvest Academy Double (Winner) 2017 in Ludhiana, Dalwinder Singh, was my best result. I have beaten him in other tournaments, but could not do so in the national championship. I fondly cherish the very participation in all the years, regardless of the results. With all humility and fulfilment, I wish to thank the esteemed organisers and the sponsors for giving us a splendid opportunity to get exposed to such a high level tournament at least once in a year on sustained basis for so many years. Undoubtedly, Fenesta tournament has been highly successful in bringing out the best out of Indian players and I hope it continues to evolve

Mr. Rupinder Pal Singh (Indian Hockey Player) presenting trophy to Sandeepti Singh further with the passage of time. Rao, Girsl Under-14 (Winner) Fenesta Open Nationals 2017

118 2018 Siddharth Vishwakarma and Mahak Jain claim the title T WAS MAHAK JAIN WHO became the women’s champion once again. The 17-year-old girl from Indore, trained by coach Sajid Lodi, made it doubly sweet by winning the women’s doubles title as well, with her friend Sathwika Sama. Despite a small frame and limitations of reach and power, Mahak dominated the show. The only time she was tested fully was when she played the four-time champion Prerna Bhambri in the semifinals. Mahak prevailed 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-3. I In the final, Mahak outplayed Natasha Palha, who had done the hard work to beat top seed Zeel Desai 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 in her semifinal. Natasha had earlier pipped Ramya Natarajan 6-2, 5-7, 7-6(2) in the quarterfinals, after getting past Kaavya Sawhney and Sai Samhitha. Tall and wiry left-hander, the unseeded Siddharth Vishwakarma handled the

Mr. Ajay S Shriram presenting cheque to Mahak Jain, Womens Mr. Sardar Singh (Indian Hockey Player) presenting trophy to Single (Winner), Fenesta Open Nationals 2018 along with Siddharth Vishwakarma, Mens Singles (Winner), Fenesta Open Mr. Sardar Singh (Indian Hockey Player), AITA and DLTA officials Nationals 2018 119 The atmosphere of the tournament since the beginning has been electrifying. I remember playing the tournament “as a junior. The long draws of the tournament were a very welcome challenge for all the players and everyone looked forward to playing the tournament for months in advance. I remember the training we used to put in, in the weeks leading up to the tournament. One of the first fondest memories of the tournament is of me and Yuki playing the doubles under-14. Prerna and Yuki had played a few mixed doubles tournaments together but this was the first time we played as a team. We actually ended up winning the title. It was a fun week for both of us playing and competing together. With DSCL being the biggest tournament in the calendar for the players, performing well in it is a goal and wish for everyone competing on the circuit. I still clearly remember the week I won the under-16 Title. It was a very strong draw with a lot of tough matches right from the first round. I played a couple of long three setters to get to the final where I was to play my friend Shiva Sangwan. We had always played tight matches against each other and no one expected anything different. It was my first singles finals at the event, though I had taken the doubles title before. I went on court, all guns blazing and played one of the shortest finals ever, finishing 6-2,6-0. It was probably one of the best matches I have played as a young kid . The win gave immense boost to my confidence in my own ability, which led to me playing some very good matches on the ITF men’s tour in the weeks post my win on the DLTA courts. I have been coaching for the last seven years now and I must say I really enjoy it. I believe sports is a way of life and not just a part of it, and tennis has made me who I am today. I got into coaching to give back to the sport that has given me so many amazing experiences . Incidentally, Fenesta was my first tournament as a coach. It was around the time I had just started working with Prerna and a few more kids. It has been an amazing ride since then. To see the kids you are working with come up and win the most prestigious National tournament of the year is extremely satisfying to say the least. It gives you the affirmation you need to work even harder with them. I travel a lot for tournaments all over the world, but I still try and make it a point to be in Delhi during the week of Fenesta Nationals to witness the tournament in all its glory. I believe in the holistic development of the player into a better human being and not just their ability to perform on the court. As a coach you are not just taking care of the performance when they play but are also their mentor. Hence, you are entrusted with the task of guiding them in the right direction in life. To create the biggest Indian tennis tournament and to continue to sustain the same level of enthusiasm for it, takes a massive amount of dedication and to make it a point to be at the prize ceremony in support of the players. The whole Indian Tennis community is indeed indebted to the Shriram family for giving an event of this scale, to celebrate the game every year. Everyone wants to be a part of this gala. Every player of the country aspires to compete and win this mega event. I really hope they continue their support for the tennis fraternity and we surely will see better results from Indian players in the years to come. PRATEEK BHAMBRI

120 Mr. Ajay S Shriram, Mr. Sardar Singh (Indian Hockey Player) and AITA officials with Mr. Sardar Singh (Indian Hockey Player) Mens, Womens & U-18 winners of Fenesta Open Nationals 2018 presenting trophy to Arjun Khade, Mens Singles (Runners-up), Fenesta Open Nationals 2018

Mr. Ramandeep Singh (Indian Hockey Player) with all the winners of Junior Fenesta Mr. Sardar Singh (Indian Hockey Player) with Open Nationals 2018 winners of Womens & Girls U-18 Fenesta Open Nationals 2018

121 final well against top seed Arjun Kadhe, despite Javia 6-3, 6-2. a bout of cramps. It was destiny denying Arjun UNDER-18 GIRLS: Humera Shaik bt Rashmikaa once again, as he missed a breakpoint in the ninth Shrivalli Bhamidipaty 6-2, 6-4; Doubles: Salsa game, as his string broke. Arjun did rally despite Aher & Kaavya Sawhney bt Bhakti Shah & the broken string with all the craft he could muster Sunskrithi Damera 6-1, 2-6, [10-4]. but Siddharth kept his cool to save that breakpoint. He served out the match in style with an ace. UNDER-16 BOYS: Krish Patel bt Denim Yadav 6-0, ‘’It was a lucky point for me’’, Siddharth recalled. 6-1; Doubles: Divesh Gehlot & Sushant Dabas bt ‘’I had hardly played tennis for the past eight Denim Yadav & Aryaan Bhatia 6-2, 6-1. months as I was ill’’, said Siddharth. UNDER-16 GIRLS: Gargi Pawar bt Vipasha Mehra Siddharth’s coach Kamlesh Shukla had done 6-4, 6-3; Doubles: Rutuja Chaphalkar & Sudipta a good job in preparing him for the national Senthilkumar bt Srujana Rayarala & Sunskriti championship. He had ebaten PC Vignesh, SD Damera 6-0, 6-1. Prajwal Dev, Manish Suresh Kumar and Nitin Kumar UNDER-14 BOYS: Udit Gogoi bt AmanDahiya 6-1, Sinha on way to the final. 6-4; Doubles: Deep Munim & Ananth Mani Muni Arjun had come through a tough semifinal bt Yuvan Nandal & Anargha Ganguly 6-3, 7-5. against Sidharth Rawat 2-6, 7-6(2), 6-2 after cruising that far past Kunal Anand, Yugal Bansal UNDER-14 GIRLS: Renee Singh bt VaishnaviAdkar and Ishaque Eqbal. Siddhant Banthia and Humera 7-5, 6-2; Doubles: Harshali Mandavkar & Shaik won the under-18 boys and girls titles Vaishnavi Adkar bt Kundana Bandaru & Radhika respectively. It was a double crown for Banthia as Mahajan 6-4, 6-1. he won the doubles title with Megh Bhargav Patel.

THE RESULTS (FINALS) Men: Siddharth Vishwakarma bt Arjun Kadhe 6-2, 6-7(2), 6-3; Doubles: Parikshit Somani & Suresh Dhakshineswar bt Kaza Vinayak Sharma & Mohit Mayur 6-4, 6-4.

Women: Mahak Jain bt Natasha Palha 6-1, 6-2; Doubles: Mahak Jain & Sathwika Sama bt Humera Shaik & Sara Yadav 6-3, 6-3.

UNDER-18 BOYS: Siddhant Banthia bt Calvin Golmei 7-6(0), 6-2; Doubles: Siddhant Banthia & Mr. Sardar Singh (Indian Hockey player) presenting trophy to Natasha Palha, Womens Singles (Runners-up), Fenesta Megh Bhargav Patel bt Madhwin Kamath & Dev Open Nationals 2018

122 ARJUN KADHE

The experience of playing the Fenesta Nationals has been great. I have always done well. I have been playing this from under-14. I have won under-14, 16 and 18. I have played men’s national four times. I have lost three finals. Went to college in the US four years. In 2012, I was runner-up. I have won doubles. I have great memories of the tournament. I think it is one of the most Mr. Ramandeep Singh (Indian Hockey Player) with the U-16 winners Gargi Pawar and prestigious tournaments in Krish Patel India. The sponsors have been the same. The arrangements have been great. This is one tournament everyone is looking forward to in the year, from juniors to men. It is really an iconic tournament to win. The players have been playing this for 25 years. So many great players who have won this tournament and done well in the ATP Tour. It makes it so much special that I have won it in the juniors. I have tried to win the men’s but have not been successful so far, despite reaching three finals. It is a great tournament. It is a great journey to play and be a part of this event over the years. Mr. Ramandeep Singh (Indian Hockey Player) with the winners and runners-up Gargi Pawar, Udit Gogoi, Renee Singh and Krish Patel at the Fenesta Open Junior Nationals 2018

123 They said it... It was very good experience, and winning titles was a motivating factor. With very few tournaments back in the day, “winning DCM Shriram event was an important milestone in my career. I am happy I was able to build upon those initial successes in juniors. It motivated to work harder on my game. With due respect to the organisers and their hard work, the DCM Shriram which was elevated to the National status later, was at a nascent stage. It was a mammoth exercise for organisers. Without the convenience of internet, managing the tournament schedule was a very big challeng. I am coaching a group pf players at the DLTA stadium. I have also been a captain and coach for Indian Fed Cup senior team apart from being a coach of various Indian junior teams. Coming from a tennis family, I am very happy to be where I am. It is a very nice event, but please have a cut off deadline in the schedule of qualifying matches like 9 or 10 p.m. They have done a marvellous job by keeping the Nationals alive. I wish the DCM Shriram Group all the very best for successful conduct of the tournament for many more years. SHALINI THAKUR CHAWLA

PRAJNESH GUNNESWARAN

My memory of competing in the Nationals. It was one of the biggest nationals, at least in my mind, most prestigious. I felt the DSCL Shriram, Fenesta nationals happened to be more important in my head. All the best players played it at that time. All the best players, including the men players I played it from 14 to 18. Four or five years in a row I played. For me, it brings back happy memories. I did well in 14, 16, 18. Won the juniors and made men’s final. It was big deal for me. Took me on the path where I am. Gave me a belief that I could beat players whom I felt were better than me at that time. It gave me the belief that I can overcome the hurdles and go further. I used to train at HPTC at that time. We used to travel with Balu (M Balachandran) sir, Jonathan Stubbs. We always had a big group of people. It was a fun tournament for me, for sure. The association with tennis for more than 25 years. That is definitely commendable. To do it for so long. To stick to the game this strong, and this long. It shows their love for the sport. We should appreciate their effort in hosting the tournament, year after year, for so many years, and looking good for many more.

125 They said it...

I still strongly remember when I travelled to Shriram Nationals way back in 1993 “which was the first edition I suppose with three of my trainees. It was a festival and I was amazed to see the arrangements. There was lunch for all players, coaches. NIRUPAMA A nice party on the lawns of DLTA one evening and the whole place had a festive atmosphere. Never had I seen so many players in one place. I could see kids SANJEEV making new friends, coaches discussing ways to improve knowledge, parents I think I played it understanding what tennis was all about. This was the only event in the country one year. It could where we could see tennis being one family! have been 1993, 95 The impact of the event has been really huge. It has provided a platform for all or 96 am not sure. players to come under one umbrella and compete. An opportunity for the better I feel Nationals and players to make a better impact and the others to compete against them and the Indian domestic improve. These two weeks always gave a fantastic opportunity for the coaches to circuit including State get to know each other and exchange ideas. This was de facto the numerouno event ranking tournaments on the Indian tennis calendar. Every player had this dream of being the National really helped my champion here. One became a star after winning it. Especially I liked the fact that it tennis where we gave all the juniors, 16 and below to watch the semis and finals of men and women. could compete in It was always inspirational to the young players and a motivation for the senior many events. I know players. Overall, Shriram and Fenesta has been like a national tennis festival and I won 95, Bangalore, one which is keenly awaited by all. 94 Chandigarh, 91 The other good thing is the interaction that happens in this event between Hyderabad, 92 Delhi legendary players, young players, coaches and parents. I remember sometime maybe. It is fantastic during 2002 or so, when the organisers brought Leander Paes. I was fortunate to be when there are a part of that. There was a huge participation and I am sure it must have helped a organisers who have few hundred players listening to the legend. The DSCL group has to be commended held up this tradition for their commitment to Indian tennis through this event. I am not sure if i know for so many years. any other corporate who have such a long standing association with a sport. They Playing the Nationals have been making champions for 25 glorious years and uplifting Indian tennis. in India was a matter It is a great feeling to see the way this event is organised with so much passion of pride for all of us and dedication by the whole team of DSCL, year after year. The fact that the top and I was keen to take brass of the group are religiously present for the prize distribution shows the full advantage of it. commitment of this great organisation. I hope they continue to be a part of the The prize money also Indian Tennis for many more years to come and also wish this event attains greater helped me fund for stature. My profuse thanks to DCM Shriram for their commitment to Indian tennis other tournaments. and the event. Hope to see this growing in stature! SUNIL YAJAMAN

126 The first memory I have of the Fenesta Nationals is watching the finals in 2001 with my dad. The sheer volume of “players descending on the Captial for the tournament has always been a site to behold. The open draws encouraged everyone to prioritise this event as the most important one in the year. Coaches, parents, and entire entourages would come with the players and it had a great feel to be at the venue during the fortnight. As a junior, it allowed me to get an idea of how much I needed to improve my game to take it to the next level. The open men’s draw was always a big motivation for me to do well and gave me a glimpse into the men’s game from an early age. Seeing players and coaches from across the country made me realise the competition out there within the country and pushed me to work harder. The organisers have been simply outstanding. Their unwavering support through the years is something a lot of associations and federations across the world can learn from. They have adapted with the times and this is evident from the way they increased prize money along with the boom of international events around the country. They do their best to ensure that the event remains as relevant as the times allow it. We players are very grateful for that. I really do hope they continue to host the event for many years to come as it is a dream for most juniors to win this event. During the late 1990’s and early 2000’s it was the biggest non-ATP event in India and the strength of the field reflected the respect players had for the prestige of winning the tournament. With the recent changes to the ITF/ ATP world tour rules, it is an opportunity for the Fenesta Nationals to retake this honour by adding more incentive to the tag of national champion and it would be heartwarming to see them grasp this opportunity. KARUNUDAY SINGH

RISHIKA SUNKARA

The Fenesta Open National tournament, earlier known as the DSCL Nationals has always been the most prestigious tournament in India. I have memories of participating in this tournament since I was 12 years old, starting from under-14 category all the way to the women’s category. It is the only tournament in India which covers all the age groups and it always feels like a huge tennis festival. I always look forward to playing in such an atmosphere. I have so many memories with the nationals over the years. My first title was the under-14 doubles titles with Divija Mandava. I lost in the finals of women’s singles in the year 2012 against Prena Bhambri in a very close match. I also have two women’s doubles titles, one with Sharmada Balu and the other with Sowjanya Bavisetti. I would really like to thank the organisers and sponsors for giving us the opportunity since 25 years to compete amongst the best in the country and a platform to recognise our talent. I hope it gets better and bigger every year! It would be great if they can organise better food facilities for the players at the venue.

127 They said it...

It was one fine evening I was at Mr. Shriram’s house, having tea, since Aditya was training with me. “We had a talk and Mr. Ajay Shriram ji expressed: ‘’Kawaljeet ji, do let me know if I can do something for tennis’’. I said may be a good tournament, as in those days we hardly had many tournaments. This over crowded junior circuit did not exist then. The DSCL was born. If I am not wrong, I was the first tournament referee. We had huge entries, close to 700. Next year it went up close to 900/1000. I remember how we made the draws very late at night along with Nar Singh and Vinod Kumar. People were waiting in the lawns of DLTA, where there is a swimming pool now. Oh, what memories we have. Since i was head coach of DLTA at that time, we had good players to train and the total involvement of talented players, parents was great. I am in touch with all the families, most players even now. Sunil kumar was not in the scene then in 1993. I had no idea that after a few years this boy would shine from this very tournament. Words fail me to express the crowd we had. It was like a Grand Slam of Indian circuit. It used to be the dream tournament of every player and winning it was like winning a Grand Slam. When I moved to Chandigarh in 1994, I had only one goal. I wanted my players to win DSCL I had a good time, coaching in DLTA but Punwire in Chandigarh gave me a free hand to coach, plan and travel without any hesitation in the Indian circuit. In 1999, I can never forget, how this tournament changed my profile. Sunil Kumar playing from the qualifying event won the National men’s title. Akshay Vishal Rao won the under-18 singles title. Amanjot Singh won the under-16 singles, Shruti Dhawan won the doubles, Saurabh Singh won the doubles. I think God was very kind to me and this tournament will always remain the best tournament of my life. Enjoyed every moment and the media covered it so well. The other best part we remember was the involvement of dedicated parents with the tournament, GD Rao, Mr. Vatsal, Mr. Bhattacharya, Mr. Shetty. Oh, it was fun as their children played tennis along with Aditya Shriram, all used to participate to make the tournament a great success. It is missing now, no families are involved The bond is missing. With time lot of changes have come. I must say it is not that enjoyable as it was before. With restricted entries for less hardship to the referee and I understand there are problems in organising especially when matches are extended and go late night. I remember matches very late at night, my son Garry played around 12.45 am in 2006. It is always a desire to be there during the National finals, but some time I wish we can travel in the Time Machine to those golden days. I think we should be grateful to Shriram ji and his family for continuing this great tournament. I had very good time training Aditya and travelled to US when he was 12. We went to the Hopmancentre in Saddlebrook, in Florida. I have fond memories of being with Vishal and Aditya. KAWALJEET SINGH

128 “My immediate memories of the tournament are the grass courts, friendly people from Shriram group and a good bunch of players coming together in Delhi. They kept improving the tournament as in the number of participants went up along with the prize money. This helped other tournaments also to scale up and have a similar event. As this was the Nationals on hard court with good prize money, other Nationals had to get closer to DSCL Nationals. Sponsors staying after 25 years, is true support to Indian tennis. If we had more sponsors like Shriram group, Indian tennis circuit would be in a much better shape. My special appreciation and thanks to Mr. Ajay Sriram for his support and encouragement to all the tennis players, who have gained from the event, for more than 25 years. The AITA has to honour him for this selfless contribution and perhaps ensure best participation from the players, as a mark of recognition to the contribution from the Shriram group. Over the years, apart from playing, I have traveled to Fenesta/DSCL Nationals as coach with Nitin Kirtane, Saurav Panja, Jaydeep Shetty, Ajay Ramaswami, RohanSaikia, Radhika Tulpule, Parija Maloo, Prajnesh Gunneswaran, Akash Gujrathi, Akash Wagh, Kyra Shroff, Christopher Marquis, Aiswarya Srivastava etc.

M BALACHANDRAN

LIZA VIPLAV

The Shriram open tournament, as I remember it, was the most important tournament of the year, attracting players of all levels, from all over India. I remember the total number of players even exceeded 1000 entries and eventually had to be split over two weeks, one for the juniors and one for the seniors. The tournament created a platform for aspiring players and gave us instant recognition. I have played this tournament every year since 1996 till I retired as a player in 2005. I had the privilege of winning this tournament several times in singles as well as doubles. I signed my first major contract with after winning my first Shriram tournament and it was a turning point in my career, putting me on the road to winning many ITF tournaments. The DLTA and AITA office located in the venue itself ensured an instant connection with the Association. I couldn’t have been happier with my success as a junior but definitely could have done better in the women’s. As a coach I continue to be connected to the game teaching a few youngsters in my academy situated in Florida. It is extremely selfless to be able to dedicate your life to the betterment of tennis. As the game has grown more competitive, so has the pressure of running office and I applaud the organisers for continuing to stand ground and focus on what matters and that is the growth of tennis.

129 They said it...

“Firstly I want to thank the sponsors for doing such a great job with the continuity of the tournament ! Initially it was called DCM Shriram Open and now it is Fenesta Nationals. Every player in india looks forward to participate and perform in this tournament as it has so much prestige attached to it. Every Indian tennis player would probably dream to have the trophy. I still regret not having one though I have the runners-up trophy! During DCM Shriram Open there were no restrictions on entries and I remember the matches being played until 12 midnight. I once played three matches in one day since I was playing two events. Before the third match of the day, I actually had dinner and slept on one of the sofas. Then, my mother woke me up at midnight to play the match! It used to be fun as all friends got together and would be running around and playing other games too apart from tennis. At least, my group of friends did! One really has to appreciate the sponsors who have continuously supported the event for 25 years, I think this must be the only tournament in india which is supported by the same sponsor for such a long time. I would love to see the tournament going back to its old format where entry is not restricted to ranking. It was like how all of India comes together to celebrate a festival, it was like a tennis/sports festival because it got all of us together. ANKITA RAINA

TODD CLARK

I first attended the DCM Shriram Fenesta in 2010. I remember bringing a team of players to the even It was THE EVENT. I say THE EVENT as the Fenesta Nationals has always been THE premier tournament in India. I have been lucky enough to work with talented players who have gone on to win both singles and doubles titles at this event, all of whom rate winning this title as one of the top highlights of their career. The impact of performing well at the Fenesta Nationals cannot be denied. Many players who have performed well in this event have gone on to compete at higher levels both as a professional or as a US College student. I became aware that the tournament sponsors DCM Shriram have been supporting this event for more than 25 years. One cannot imagine the Indian tennis circuit without this event. DCM Shriram group, I cannot thank you enough for providing Indian tennis players a truly world class event and the opportunity to pursue their dreams. Without your continued support this would not be possible. Krish Patel won the under-16 title in 2018. It was his first national singles title. Megh Patel won the under-18 boys doubles title, partnering Siddhant Banthia last year. Together they have three Fenesta doubles titles. Zeel Desai was women’s runner-up in 2017, and under-18 singles winner in 2015. Zeel has gone on to the ITF women’s circuit. Shweta Rana women’s runner-up in 2013, got to a career high ITF women’s rank of 527. Hardeep Sandhu won the under-18 boys title in 2013. I am sure many more players will capitalise on this tournament, to give their tennis career a strong foundation.

130 SANJAY PODDAR

It was an unbelievable experience when I first came to Shriram Open in the late 1990s. It was like a carnival. I still remember the time when my nephew, Harshit Sharma, qualified for main draw and got his Shriram open T Shirt. The first thing he told me was that he got the Shriram open T-shirt as if he had captured the whole world. There, I realised the importance of the tournament. Then, of course Karan Rastogi winning the, age group events of the Shriram Open was like the cherry on cake, for me as a coach. I personally feel it was the most important tournament for every budding Indian tennis player. A player had to win 3-4 rounds to qualify for the main draw. It used to be like a carnival with a purpose for everybody right from the players, parents , coaches, referee, umpires, ground staff and organisers. The organisers have played a great role in promoting Indian tennis in a very professional manner over the years. I will remain grateful, as a coach, to Fenesta Open organisers for continuously taking the huge responsibility for promoting Indian tennis in a friendly and efficient manner.

From my Junior under-14 days, I have come to Fenesta First of all hats off to the DCM Shriram /Fenesta “and played every time. I like this tournament because “championships which is now into its 25th edition. I won the under-14, a number of doubles title in It would be very difficult to find a parallel to that under-16 and was the singles champion in under-18. in Indian sport. For me the event holds a very My best in Women’s event was being the doubles special place in my heart as two generations of winner in 2014 and singles runners up in 2015. It is my family (my daughter Namita and myself) always a privilege to play in the Fenesta Nationals . It have come here and won titles and have come is well conducted but some time matches go late into back as coaches and watched our respective the night. It is one my favourite tournaments in India students win titles. It speaks volumes for the . I have so many good memories of me playing good support that the house of Shrirams have given to tennis in Fenesta . It’s the biggest tournament in India the event, the AITA and the game of tennis. This with good prize money. Organising the Nationals for is one event in which every Indian tennis player, so many years is not easy and they have continued to male or female, wants to make a mark. Winning do it every year. That is great and I really appreciate it this event is almost a stamp to say that you are .But my only concern is, they need to increase the prize ready to represent the country at the highest money from pre-quarterfinals. There is always a huge level. All the very best to the tournament, the prize money difference between the finalists and the sponsors and kudos to AITA for having kept this rest. The semifinalists get so less money in comparison. relationship with the DCM Shriram group alive They may please do something about this. and kicking for this long. SAI SAMHITHA NANDAN BAL

131 They said it...

PUNNA VISHAL

It was one of the best feeling for me, when I won the men’s title. I had always wanted to win the tournament as a junior but it finally happened in the men’s event . It was very important for me, as I think, it was one of the wins which AITA considered, for me to play Davis Cup. The title was a ticket to represent the country. I think I came to play the tournament way back in 1993 or 94. It was amazing to see the number of players who came to play the tournament. From that time, I always wanted to win this tournament. I am into information technology as a career. I think I did the best with my tennis career. Maybe, it could have been better, with a little more support. The organisers are amazing . With so many players and matches to handle they do a very good job.Maybe, from now on, they should make it a point to give a main draw wild card to the men’s winner in ATP Pune Open. It will make the tournament even more interesting .

I have fond memories of playing in the national ensure progress in my career. “championships on hard courts in Delhi. The field was The tennis community is, I am sure, grateful and always strong and motivated me to train and perform at appreciative of the support and sponsorship provided a high level. The tournament helps to gauge your level by the company, to give a platform for players to and provides a platform for growth in the sport. perform and showcase their potential. The national Playing the Indian junior circuit including the championships inspires players to reach the highest Shriram Open provided an opportunity to compete level and plays an important role in providing against other top Indian players and learn where I opportunities for growth in the game. needed to improve. The results helped to get chosen to represent India in international competitions and to HARSH MANKAD

132 FENESTA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

YEAR Mens Singles Womens Singles 1993 Syed Fazaluddin Sahiba Chadha 1994 Vikrant Chadha Arati Ponappa 1995 Nitin Kirtane Archana Venkataraman 1996 Sandeep Kirtane Jahnavi Parekh 1997 Asif Ismail / Gaurav Natekar (Shared) Uzma Khan 1998 Nitin Kirtane Uzma Khan 1999 Sunil Kumar Sipaeya Sai Jayalakshmy 2000 Nitin Kirtane Rushmi Chakravarthi 2001 Vijay Kannan Rushmi Chakravarthi 2002 Vinod Sridhar Isha Lakhani 2003 Punna Vishal Ankita Bhambri 2004 Aqeel Khan Sanaa Bhambri 2005 Sunil K Sipaeya Isha Lakhani 2006 Purav Raja Isha Lakhani 2007 Ashutosh Singh Isha Lakhani 2008 V M Ranjeet Ratnika Batra 2011 Yuki Bhambri Rutuja Bhosale 2012 Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan Prerna Bhambri 2013 Mohit M Jayaprakash Prerna Bhambri 2014 J Vishnu Vardhan Prerna Bhambri 2015 N. Sriram Balaji Prerna Bhambri 2016 J Vishnu Vardhan Riya Bhatia 2017 Dalwinder Singh Mahak Jain 2018 Siddharth Vishwakarma Mahak Jain

133 Editorial Team: (DCM Shriram Ltd) Aman Pannu, Manish Joshi

DCM Shriram Archives Team: Navratan Singh, Asgar Raja Shradha Sharma

Special Acknowledgement to Kamesh Srinivasan, Esteemed Sports Journalist, The Hindu whose support and inputs have been vital in putting together the 25 years journey of the National Tennis Championship.