#tennis

Star Citizens

Cheer For Sahaja Yamalapalli ~ India's No. 1 Women's Tennis Player!

After moving up from World No. 302 in the Women's Tennis Association rankings on September 9, Sahaja Yamalapalli emerged as the leading women's tennis player in India. Having been involved in the sport since she was ten years old, the Telangana native has made notable progress on international courts despite having only recently decided to play professionally. In addition, the 23-year-old is just the third female tennis player to win a professional title from the International Tennis Federation. Yamalapalli most recently emerged victorious in the SoCal Pro Series in Rolling Hills Estates, California's Jack Kramer Club.Winning & Having A Humble Heart ~(Source: Google Images) Despite securing first place in India, Yamalapalli believes she still has much more to achieve and look forward to in her career. She told Sportstar, "For me, this ranking is just another milestone and a reminder that I keep doing things that I have been doing to be a better player." "Basically, I have been focusing to be a complete player on all surfaces," Yamalapalli continued. Even though I have played primarily on hard courts in the past, I am definitely working to improve on clay courts as well. That I was able to go to the semifinals of a clay court tournament a few days ago makes me happy."(Source: Google Images ) Amalapalli, a resident of Khammam, attributes some of her success to Prahlad Kumar Jain, a pharmaceutical company owner and former tennis coach, for his encouragement and financial support. According to reports, the Lakshya Sports Foundation, a nonprofit, also provides funding for her."The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." —Thomas Edison.

13 Sep 2024

Star Citizens

Successful Path ahead for Tavish Pahwa in Tennis

'He has a keen tactical sense. Tavish can examine his opponents' strengths and flaws just as well as the majority of coaches.'- Quoted His Training Mentor Passionate Footprints: Tavish Pahwa, 13, learns the hard way that he is one of the nation's best tennis players. Tavish Pahwa picked up his first tennis racket, and he hasn't looked back since. The fact that he represented his country on both a national and international level transformed what started as a foolish game into a sport. Tavish came from a sporting family; both his father and older brother were tennis players, thus Tavish knew that tennis was his natural calling. He was also lucky to attend Shiv Nadar School in Faridabad, which actively encouraged pupils' interest in participating in sports. He participated in fitness training, played the sport, and obsessively followed the matches of legendary athletes like Novak Djokovic. He didn't, however, neglect his academic pursuits. For many young athletes, juggling school and athletics continues to be a challenge because travelling for tournaments frequently necessitates giving up a significant amount of class time. Double Wins For Tavish in Asian Under-14 Tennis: Most recently, he competed on behalf of the nation in the Asian Under 14 Grade A division, placing 17th overall in Asia. He has a long list of accomplishments under his belt and many more yet to come. As a young thinker who idolised Djokovic, he soaked up his style and technique like a sponge and frequently played his foot during numerous tournaments. "The competition gets tougher as one plays in more prestigious tournaments of higher levels," he admits. When I compete in the U-14 division in Asians as a 12-year-old, I'm up against the finest players who are at least two years older. It takes a lot of practice and effort."

22 Aug 2023

Star Citizens

Post-Retirement, This 65-Year-Old Is Winning Laurels as a Tennis Champion

Alapati Suresh, a native of Guntur who has always been interested in sports, is now realizing his dream after retirement. Even though Suresh has been playing tennis for the past 30 years and has competed in little tournaments held by neighborhood sports groups, his profession prevented him from realizing his dream of playing in the major league. He retired in 2017 at the age of 60 after working as an assistant engineer in the irrigation division. Alapati, who calls tennis his stress reliever, claimed that playing the game helped him relax mentally and release stress in addition to improving his physical health. He used to devote two hours a day, every day, to practice the game. Suresh’s passion for the game saw him winning almost every inter-district tournament. He was encouraged by his peers to participate in state and national level games, but such big leagues would entail total dedication and his job prevented him from devoting the required time. Not one to lose heart, he decided to pursue his interest after retirement. He stunned everyone by winning 12 gold medals in various district and state-level events, as well as a gold medal and two silver medals in competitions organized on a national level by the Global Indian Senior Tennis Association. He also won the International Tennis Federation doubles in the 65-plus category. Apart from keeping him physically fit and free of ailments, Suresh believes that the sport has ingrained in him a sense of discipline and time management.

12 Jan 2023

Star Citizens

Global News

Who Could Have Thought About 'Tennis Balls' To Be Seen This Way ~ An Artist's Prespective

Almost all of the 300 million tennis balls produced for the popular sport each year are thrown away. A Belgian eco-designer has started turning some of them into custom furniture in a way that keeps the rubber balls out of the trash.Trusting The Creative Process ~ (Source: Google Images) To create the micro-cushioning parts for her two trademark items, a bench and a chaise lounge, Mathilde Wittock and her crew can manually carve 1,800 balls per day. To put it into context, only the recently finished US Open used 70,000. When they are completed, one can see why the two to three weeks it takes to manufacture them are worth it. The fuzzy part of the tennis balls is colored to resemble the colors of the inside, making them look attractive and hopefully pleasant. A tennis ball is made during the course of about 24 manufacturing processes, or about five days. Then it's so fleeting," Wittock said to CNN via video conference from Brussels. "I know there is a lot of waste because I played tennis myself, which is why I was looking into tennis balls." Since tennis balls are durable, have a short lifespan, and require 400 years to degrade in a landfill—that is, if they haven't been eaten by a dog—they looked like an easy choice when searching for novel sources of materials.(Source: Google Images) Why the tennis balls become unusable ~ The gas that gives tennis balls their bounce and the reason their packaging is sealed like a soup can are both caused by this gas. Once the ball is open, the gas gradually escapes from its core, leaving it flat and ultimately unfit for play.(Source: Google Images) Sports organizations such as the Federation of Wallonia in Belgium, recently donated to her its whole inventory of 100,000 used tennis balls—which, according to Wittock, should last for about nine months of production.Her Approach Behind This ~(Source: Google Images) “Circularity is basic to eco-design. Excellent materials with low carbon emissions or those that have been recycled can be used, but you must consider the whole life cycle. It's not eco-design if it's not circular and you can't repurpose (the elements) into another design. Because they are novel materials, it's considerably worse.”“There is no such thing as 'away'. When we throw anything away it must go somewhere.” ~ Annie Leonard, a proponent of sustainability.

12 Sep 2024

Global News

Well Deserved Victory: Jannik Sinner Clinches Maiden Grand Slam Title in Epic Australian Open Final

Well Deserved: In a demanding five-set Australian Open final on Sunday, Jannik Sinner overcame Daniil Medvedev after trailing two sets to one, capturing his maiden Grand Slam victory. After being badly outplayed in the opening two sets, the fourth-seeded Italian player rallied to win 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, and 6-3 in three hours and forty-four minutes. The outcome is a severe blow for the third-seeded Russian, who has now lost two Australian Open finals after leading two sets, the first being against Rafael Nadal in 2022. Background Check: Born on August 16, 2001, Jannik Sinner is an Italian professional tennis player. As of October 2, 2023, he has etched his name in history, securing the fourth-highest ranking among male Italian tennis players, a milestone he shares with Adriano Panatta, as confirmed by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). Sinner was raised in South Tyrol, a German-speaking area of northern Italy. As a kid, he played football, tennis, and skiing. Sinner turned to tennis at the age of thirteen, moving to Bordighera on the Italian Riviera to study with seasoned coach Riccardo Piatti, having won a national championship in skiing at the age of eight. Sinner started competing in professional tennis competitions at the age of 16, despite having little success as a junior. At the age of 17, he became one of the rare players to win numerous ATP Challenger Tour championships. Following his ascent to the top 100 and his victory at the Next Generation ATP Finals in Milan, he was named the 2019 ATP Newcomer of the Year. Sinner made the decision to switch from football and skiing to tennis at the age of 13. Because he wanted to play against an opponent directly and have greater leeway for a whole match, he preferred it over skiing. In addition, he desired to play an individual sport where he would have complete control over his play—a chance he would not have in a team sport like football. His parents backed him when he made the independent decision to go to Bordighera on the Italian Riviera in order to train with Riccardo Piatti and Massimo Sartori at the Piatti Tennis Centre. Sinner resided at the center with the family of one of his trainers, Luka Cvjetković. Bottom Line: Jannik Sinner, who ended the Big Three's supremacy at the Australian Open, said, "Tennis needs the next generation." "Obviously, winning the tournament is an incredible achievement," he remarked. "I'm really pleased with my performance here. Let's see what else we have in store." “On athleticism, God knows no favor. It seems rather he is in the business of teaching winners how to lose and losers how to win.” ― Criss Jami

29 Jan 2024

Global News

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Manika Batra Scripts History !

Manika Batra from India has made history in the table tennis event at the Olympics becoming the first Indian to reach the round of 16(quarterfinals). (Source: Google Images ) Effortlessly glamorous and effortfully guarded about her life, India’s most recognized table tennis star, isn’t at pains to sound particularly profound before the Paris Olympics. Her practical mantra of two decades is: “I know my dreams. So I wake up every day and work hard for them.” Manika Batra showed the patience and discipline of a veteran player in this unpredictable game. The 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medalist won by a remarkable margin of 11-9 11-6 11-9 11-7 against the better-ranked opposition. (Source: Google Images ) Batra's defense game was remarkably strong, it surely impacted her performance. Batra won the match after losing a series of points. "I am happy that I beat a French player in Paris. I defeated a higher-ranked player. I did not think of creating history and making the pre-quarters, there are more rounds, I will take it match by match and give my best as I always do," Manika told PTI (Press Trust of India) after her match.

30 Jul 2024

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Leander Paes and Vijay Amritraj Make Historic Entry into Tennis Hall of Fame

On Saturday, Vijay Amritraj and Leander Paes made history by becoming the first Asian men to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Amritraj was honored as a contributor, while Paes entered as a player. Their entry into tennis's most elite group holds profound significance for India, a country where, prior to Amritraj and Paes, success in tennis seemed unattainable. These trailblazers paved the way for future generations in a nation with little tennis background. Reflecting on this big achievement, Paes told ATPTour.com, "It's pretty cool to see two Indians get into the Hall of Fame." (Source: Google Images) Amritraj and Paes share a unique connection, as Paes attended a tennis school named after Amritraj during his youth. Amritraj nearly missed out on a sports career due to severe childhood lung problems that left him frequently bedridden, making his dreams of international representation seem impossible. However, his mother's unshakable strength and belief in him fueled his determination. Reflecting on his induction, he mentioned how such an honor makes his entire journey, from age seven to 70, flash before his eyes, along with all his accomplishments. Even without his health issues, Amritraj's prospects were dim growing up in the India of the '50s and '60s, a stark contrast to today's India. Amritraj recalls that they couldn't foresee where they might end up, despite his poor health and hospital stays, with his mother always taking great care of him. Amritraj made his mark in his career. He reached the 1973 Wimbledon quarter-finals at age 19. Carlos Alcaraz, who won the tournament twice, didn't make it to the last eight at The Championships until he was 20 when he won the trophy at SW19. Amritraj climbed to No. 23 in the PIF ATP Doubles Rankings and won 13 doubles titles. He reached the singles quarter-finals four times at Grand Slam tournaments and led India to two Davis Cup finals. His achievements had an impact on millions of kids across the country showing them they could succeed in tennis too. Amritraj gives credit to his parents Bob and Maggie, for pushing him to dream big instead of settling for easy goals. They took on a challenge to say that he will become much more than that where people from all over will come to watch him. They were two regular folks ( his parents) who ended up having an extraordinary impact on my life. I played a small part in it. I just happened to be their kid, the best parents I've ever known. This comes after [my mom] had two terrible accidents in her 30s. So they showed me parenting like I've never seen before in my life.” (Source: Google Images) Now these two men have made history for their nation leaving an enduring impression in the record books. Two Indian men now have a place in the International Tennis Hall of Fame. "This amazing legacy of people viewing this place as a museum long after I'm gone is beyond my imagination. I can't put it into words, because it means more than just saying nothing is impossible. It's way more than that," Amritraj said. "For me, it's more about India having a spot in the Hall of Fame, the tricolor, and the anthem. To me, that's the key part because I did it as an Indian when it wasn't expected."

25 Jul 2024

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Sreeja Akula Makes History: First Indian to Win WTT Contender Singles Title

Sreeja Akula has etched her name in Indian sports history by becoming the first Indian paddler to win a WTT Contender Singles title. Akula's remarkable performance culminated in a 4-1 victory over China's rising star Ding Yijie in the final. Ranked 38th in the world, Akula faced a challenging start, losing the first game to Ding with a tight scoreline of 10-12. However, she showcased her resilience and skill by sweeping the next four games with scores of 11-9, 11-6, 11-8, and 11-6, securing a historic win. Not only did Akula achieve this unprecedented singles title, but she also made history by being the first Indian paddler to reach the finals of a WTT Contender tournament. This milestone was achieved following a closely contested semi-final against fellow Indian paddler Sutirtha Mukherjee, which Akula won 3-2. Adding to her impressive achievements, Akula, alongside Archana Kamath, clinched the women’s doubles title. The duo dominated their compatriots Diya Chitale and Yashaswini Ghorpade with a 3-0 victory (11-9, 11-6, 12-10) earlier on Sunday. Diya and Yashaswini had previously defeated China’s Sun Sinan and Ding 3-1 (14-12, 6-11, 11-6, 11-7) in their semi-final match, while Akula and Kamath overcame another Indian pair, Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee, to reach the final. The tournament was a significant event for Indian table tennis, as it also saw Harmeet Desai and Manav Thakkar become the first Indian male duo to win a WTT Contender doubles title. They secured their victory with a 3-0 win (11-8, 11-9, 11-8) against local favorites Azeez Solanke and Olajide Omotayo in the men’s doubles final. This series of victories marks a momentous occasion for Indian table tennis, highlighting the growing prowess and competitive spirit of Indian paddlers on the global stage. Sreeja Akula’s triumph in the singles category, coupled with the success in doubles by Akula, Kamath, Desai, and Thakkar, signals a promising future for the sport in India.

24 Jun 2024

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Indian Table Tennis Teams Make History, Qualifying for Olympics for the First Time!

India’s men's and women's table tennis teams have secured their berths for the Olympics, marking the first time in history that India will be represented in this sport at the Olympics. The journey to Olympic qualification wasn't without its challenges. In the World Team Championships Finals in Busan last month, both teams had faltered in the pre-quarterfinals. However, their consistent performance in the world rankings proved decisive in securing the coveted Olympic spots. The Indian men's team, ranked 15th, and the women's team, ranked 13th, showcased their mettle on the global stage, earning their places among the top 16 teams set to compete in Paris. This achievement reflects the collective dedication and perseverance of the players. Kamlesh Mehta, Secretary of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI), expressed immense pride in the teams' historic feat, acknowledging the pivotal role played by the federation, coaches, and players. He credited their sustained efforts and strategic planning for this remarkable accomplishment. The qualification of both men's and women's teams opens up opportunities for individual players as well. With spots available for singles events, the TTFI is poised to make important decisions in selecting the most deserving candidates to represent India on the Olympic stage. G. Sathiyan, a prominent member of the men's team, hailed the achievement as a "double bonanza," emphasizing the significance of the women's team also making the cut. He highlighted the rigorous training and notable performances over the past years that contributed to this milestone. The road to Olympic qualification was marked by significant victories and strategic maneuvers. Sathiyan underscored the importance of key wins, such as defeating Kazakhstan in the pre-quarterfinals, which played a crucial role in securing the Olympic berth for India. Veteran player Sharat Kamal, who has earlier participated in four Olympics, expressed his delight at the prospect of competing in the big event as part of the team. He emphasized the importance of maintaining their world rankings and the potential to make a mark in the team events at Paris. As the countdown to the Olympics begins, players like Harmeet Desai and Ayhika Mukherjee eagerly await the final team selections. Desai, whose pivotal performance against Kazakhstan propelled India to the round-of-16, anticipates his debut Olympic appearance, while Mukherjee remains hopeful of being part of the historic journey to Paris. The qualification of India's table tennis teams for the Olympics marks a significant milestone in the nation's sporting landscape, inspiring a new generation of players. As the players gear up to represent their country on the grandest stage of all, they carry with them the hopes and aspirations of a nation rallying behind them.

5 Mar 2024

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Sumit Nagal Triumphs: Historic Victory Over Bublik in Australian Open Opener

Sumit Nagal of India celebrates after defeating Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan in their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championships at Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia. Who is Sumit Nagal : Highlighting his Spirit of willing heart? Leaving out the tennis aficionados, not many know who took over the mantle to represent India in the men’s tennis after Somdev Devvarman. It is none other than Sumit Nagal. Sumit Nagal is an Indian tennis player. He is ranked 160th in the world and is the second-highest ranked Indian in men's singles tennis behind Prajnesh Gunneswaran. His career high ranking is 122 which he reached on 24th August 2020. He plays right handed. He is known for his two-handed backhand. Sumit Nagal is a product of Mahesh Bhupathi's training academy which he had joined as a 10-year-old. Nagal first shot into the limelight when he won the 2015 Wimbledon boys' doubles title with Lý Hoàng Nam of Vietnam. The win made him only the sixth Indian to win a Junior Grand Slam title. A year later, Nagal made his Davis Cup debut as he represented India in the 2016 World Group Playoff tie against Spain in New Delhi. In 2017, Nagal won his first challenger title by winning the Bengaluru Open. Nagal's biggest claim to fame came two years later at Flushing Meadows against Roger Federer. After qualifying for the main draw of the US Open, he was drawn in the first round with Roger Federer. The Indian stunned the world as he won the first set against the Swiss legend 6-4. Unfortunately, Sumit Nagal could not keep up with the brilliance of Roger Federer. Turning Heads At Present: India's ace Tennis player Sumit Nagal defeated Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik in the first round of the Australian Open 2024 with 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5). He dominated the proceedings all through and became the first Indian man after Ramesh Krishnan to beat a seeded player in the Grand Slam in 35 years. The first set was a roller-coaster, with each player breaking the other for the first three games. Sumit showed his sheer determination and brilliance to provide India with a historic win after so many years. Currently World No. 139 in singles, this is Nagal's second main draw appearance in the season's first Grand Slam after his entry in 2021. A sports-loving nation ought to be the epitome of sportsmanship. In a country where the sports business is growing at an astonishing rate, we will inevitably fail at times. However, we must have faith in the process in order to find the answer to our faded spark! - “Confidence is very important – even pretending to be Confident. If you make a Mistake but do not let your Opponent see what you are thinking then he may overlook the Mistake.” - Viswanathan Anand

17 Jan 2024

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8 YO Young Girl Has Many Feathers in Her Cap

P D V Sahruda is just eight years old, but she has broken two world records! The records approved by Elite World Records LLC, USA are — Most Number of Origami Models (102) by an individual (Minor-Female) in 20 minutes, and Most Number of Ceramic Tiles (350) Broken By an individual (Minor-Female), in 20 minutes. The previous record was held by a North Korean who broke 262 ceramic tiles. Sahruda’s mother Sailaja said that her daughter is very observant, has a good memory and always tries to excel in whatever she does. She is a green belt in Karate and she practiced breaking tiles which are 5mm thick from her teacher. Sahruda was trained in the art of origami by her mother. She made 102 models using only her hands and papers without the use of glue. Sahruda said that the idea behind the record was to spread the message of a plastic-free society. Apart from excelling in academics, Sahruda actively participates in extracurricular activities. She learns painting, athletics, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, skating, abacus, robotics and ballet classes among others. When asked what she would like to do when she grows up, she answered that she would like to become an astronaut and lead the Indian Space Research Organisation. She also wants to become a professional sports player. Her interests include tennis and ice skating. With the right purpose and direction, Sahruda is all set to realize her abundant potential.

22 Nov 2019

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