#TFGtake: Indian tennis has on-court limitations, but lack of unity & selfishness is a bigger problem
AS EXPECTED and mentioned before, five-time champions, Spain whitewashed India (5-0) in the Davis Cup, World Group play-offs at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) courts yesterday.
While, the result didn’t come as a surprise to many, but the manner in which the hosts approached the tie was a little baffling and disturbing. Immediately, after the national anthem formalities got over on day one, the Indian team including Leander Paes and Saketh Myneni didn’t stay back on the court to support Ramkumar Ramanathan, who opened up the proceedings against ATP Tour veteran Feliciano Lopez.
As the 21-year-old indulged in some grueling points against the Spaniard, in extremely demanding court conditions, it was shocking to see only the team captain Anand Amritraj and a few support staffs cheering for Ramkumar from the sidelines. On the other hand, the visitors like always remained a cohesive unit, led by the World No.4 Rafael Nadal.
Despite pulling out of the tie with a wrist injury, the 14-time Grand Slam champion was animated and constantly kept shouting words of encouragement for his teammate. If someone of Nadal’s stature could exude such support from the team’s corner, we wonder what prevented India’s most glorified player, Leander Paes from following suit. Paes has always proclaimed to put country before self, but unfortunately, when the moment came to walk the talk, the 43-year-old was nowhere in sight.
Sure, the Indians were the underdogs coming into the contest, and nobody expected them to challenge the Spaniards in the singles, but in a team event, such as the Davis Cup, it is imperative that all the team members make their presence felt on the court cheering for their colleagues. Meanwhile, there was strong support, as the entire team gathered for the doubles event, as Saketh Myneni and Paes gave Rio Gold Medalists Nadal and Marc Lopez a run for their money.
While, we understand that players sitting on the sidelines do leave their seats for a quick shower or practice to get ready for their match, but Paes was seen casually, sipping some beverage a few meters away from his colleagues, before he eventually took his seat.
At the post-match press conference, after the doubles rubber, Paes further expressed his anguish on not being picked for the mixed doubles event in the recently concluded Rio Games. In fact, the 18-time Major winner in doubles also used the stage to take a dig at Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna. In addition, Paes also expressed his doubts on whether the former players were genuinely focused on helping the upcoming generation through their various academies. It was pretty obvious; he was referring to none other than his former partner Mahesh Bhupathi.
Paes further billed Myneni as a future doubles Grand Slam champion, and in front of the entire media contingent, also gave the 28-year-old the offer of playing together on the ATP tour. Paes, who has not enjoyed a healthy relationship with Bopanna, indirectly dropped a hint to his former partner of not wanting to continue.
Today, hitting back at Paes’ comments, Sania and Rohan responded on twitter.
The ONLY way to win with a toxic person, is not to play!!! #karmaiswatching #zenmode 😇🙏
— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) September 18, 2016
At it again!! ...the usual ploy to stay in the news by slanging fellow players in media. #Patriotism
— Rohan Bopanna (@rohanbopanna) September 18, 2016
Whether or not Myneni accepts Paes’ proposal to play in the doubles, Indian tennis fans should be worried about the petty politics and the lack of unity in the team. Selfishness, coupled with a callous approach from the seniors isn’t healthy for the upcoming generation. Although Sumit Nagal made his Davis Cup debut yesterday, it's unfortunate that he had to walk into a team filled with animosity and hostility. For, every youngster needs to walk into a team which has great team values and respect for each other.
We realize that tennis is an individual sport, and one needs to put his/her interest before the country on the ATP/WTA tour. That said, in an event like the Davis Cup, players need to keep aside their differences to unite as one. Squabbling about petty things and belittling one another is only asking for more trouble.
Paes, Bopanna and Sania might talk about the various ways on how they want to give back to the sport by helping kids in the country, but they would do well to realize, that it’s the off-court activity that is hampering India as much, if not more than the on-court limitations itself.
