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Little brave on the way up
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Young Sujith is out to prove a point that in tennis height is not all and what counts is skilful tenacity.
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Sujit Sachidanand: right attitude to make a winner. -- Photo: K. Gopinathan
HE HAS just turned 14, but has the mental toughness of a 24-year-old pro, and carries himself with confidence on and off the court. For all those who doubt his calibre, he lets his racquet do the talking. Meet Sujith Sachidanand, a youngster with loads of promise and who aims to travel the same long and arduous road in tennis that his elder brother Suraj promised, but couldn't make it.
Sujith comes from a family that is deep into the game. His parents are doctors, Sachidanand and Sarvamangala, who passionately follow the game and wanted their wards to take up the game seriously.
Sujith's brother Suraj was a prominent national level junior before he opted for a professional course in medicine, but Sujith has got his priority right with tennis big on his agenda.
"I just want to be a good player and I see myself playing in big events like Grand Slams one day." Big words from a little boy who hardly stands up to the shoulders of his rival in the junior ranks itself. But that quintessentially, is Sujith, who knows his mind and has a burning ambition and how he goes about achieving it, will be interesting to watch.
With his father, Dr.Sachidanand -- Photo: K. Gopinathan
It was as an eight-year-old that Sujith took up the game and promptly won a tournament in Chennai and then began his serious training under noted coach S. Subramanya at the Bowring Institute. Sujith learnt his first tennis steps from his father who is a competent player.
Sujith struck a purple patch this season. Last month, he won three under-14 titles in AITA Junior Series held in Bangalore. Earlier, he made the semi-finals of the Nutrine Naturo event in Delhi. He also tried his luck in the under-18 section, where he was pitted against bigger boys and one of his major win in that group was against Sujay Reddy.
What impresses one about this young lad his tenacity and his positive attitude towards the game. Stronger, fitter and taller rivals do not faze him and he just gets on the court and gives his best shot. "I am not bothered about my rival's build and if he has got a better game, I study it and pace myself at least for the first six games and if I am able to get a break, I try and take the lead and keep on the pressure," says this confident lad.
Sujith's main strength is his forehand. Another plus point is his ability to chase the ball even as he is a tireless retriever. True, there are lot of departments which need to be polished like his serve, but given a few more years and right guidance, he should make the grade. The boy has what it takes to be a good player. At the crack of dawn he is up and by 6 a.m., he is at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium training with the noted physical trainer Beedu. That is followed by two hours of practice at the Bowring Institute in the morning and later a stint in the evening. At the same time, he doesn't neglect his studies and as a ninth standard student at the Poorna Prajna Education Centre in Sadhashivanagar, he does quite well in studies.
"I am grateful to our principal, Mr. Nagaraj, who allows me to pursue my interest in tennis," says Sujith. His parents also motivate him to a great extent.
MEG and Centre claimed the overall title in the Army Boxing Championship held at MEG and Centre. Brig. G.R.C. Nair (Second from right is seen giving away the trophy to the team members.
Big success might be long way coming, but Sujith is just enjoying himself at the moment, playing the game the way he wants. Of late, he has been touring for major junior events all on his own, accompanied by tennis mates. "I have been all around the country, mostly all by myself, it was a bit of bother initially, now I can tour on my own," says Sujith.
Dr. Sachidanand sees a great potential in his son. '"My eldest one, Suraj, was talented all right, but Sujith is a lot more dedicated and he is willing to work hard for his success. Yes, he certainly has the attitude and flair for the game and we pin a lot of hopes on him," he says.
At 13, the level of coaching he gets from Dr. Sachidanand or from Subramanya, might be fine with him, but a couple of years down the line, Sujith needs specialised training. Already Dr. Sachidanand makes sure that he plays with older boys in the 18-year age group. "The older they are, it is better and it helps his game and they provide a much better pace," says Dr. Sachidanand .
Recently, Sujith, while participating in the Nutrine championship at Delhi caught the eye of ace coach Akthar Ali, who invited him to train with him at the AITA Academy for a while. Sujith did a 15-day stint with him and may be some time later he may return there.
The B.M.S. College team, which won the Sri Raj Kumar state-level handball championship conducted by BEL Sports Club.
"When we had the Legends Tour event in Bangalore in 2000, the former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash was here and hit a few balls with Sujith. He took an instant liking to him and asked us to send him to Melbourne where Cash was starting an academy. He gave us the brochure, but the cost was prohibitive for us," says Dr. Sachidanand. He, however, adds that he realises the need for specialised training later for Sujith and a much better exposure at the national level. But all this costs money and the youngster certainly needs a sponsor, sooner than later.
"We wish that he follows the fortunes in the game. Right now, there is no problem and he is in ninth standard there are couple of more years of schooling and he is free to concentrate on the game. We look beyond 2007 and he is capable of making it big at national level if he keeps improving, then decide what he should do after he finishes schooling. But if he keeps doing well in the game and develops the necessary physical attributes to meet demanding needs of this sport, I have no hesitation in asking Sujith to pursue tennis as a career," says the father.
Sujith's mentor at the Bowring Institute Tennis Academy, coach Subramanya, has high hopes for him. "The boy has got everything, the strokes, determination and the ability to work hard. I really see him playing for the country in future. But the big handicap for Sujith is his height. He shouldn't get disheartened if bigger boys beat him and that's what happened with his brother Suraj, who too was short at his age. But Suraj, after 16 grew up, but by that time he had lost interest in tennis and went into academics. The same thing should not happen with Sujith and the parents should sustain his interest and I am sure, when he crosses 16, he will grow up at least to five feet seven or eight inches, and that's good enough for tennis," says `Subbu'.
Surely, there is more to tennis than just height and big build. Michael Chang was five feet seven and Lleyton Hewitt, who incidentally is Sujith's idol, is not a six-footer either, but they have made a huge impression on the game. Sujith is well aware of that and with his "I can do it " attitude, one is bound to hear a lot more of this youngster.
KALYAN ASHOK
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