After finishing 2021 with a maiden singles Challenger name in Manama earlier than making the quarters in Challenger tournament in Antalya, Ramkumar Ramanathan had chalked out his plan for the following yr – “to focus on singles”. But 2022 had different plans. He began the yr like no different season, successful his maiden ATP Tour name within the doubles class. Pairing up with Rohan Bopanna, Ramkumar lifted the lads’s doubles name in Adelaide defeating most sensible seeds Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo within the ultimate. A month later, the similar pair added every other trophy to their cupboard, on the ATP Maharashtra Open and later picked up a doubles name at house in a Challenger tournament with Saketh Myeni. The victories noticed him reach a career-high doubles score of 94 and Ramkumar ultimately ended the yr with an excellent score of 69, having reached 3 different finals.
As for his plan at the beginning of 2022, Ramkumar admitted to having had a “tough year in singles”. He didn’t make the finals in any of the singles occasions this yr along with his perfect efficiency being a quarterfinal end at Challenger occasions in Japan and France. However, Ramkumar stays constructive of his possibilities subsequent yr and hopes to pair up with Bopanna once more.
Speaking to Hindustan Times in an unique interview forward of the beginning of Pro Tennis League in New Delhi on Thursday, the place Ramkumar can be enjoying for Bangalore Challengers, the 28-year-old talked concerning the match, his 2022 season, partnership with Bopanna and goals for the following season.
Excerpts…
You had been within the Pro Tennis League since 2019. What makes this match other from probably the most few different such leagues going down within the nation or the ones which India has had previously?
Aditya Khanna (Co-founder of PTL) has taken initiative to do that for the entire gamers. I understand how tricky it’s to place this league and get the entire gamers in. And clearly, with the entire admire we’ve for Aditya and the entire different gamers. It’s just right a laugh as neatly and we’re all satisfied to be right here.
These league-style tennis occasions, do you notice a large number of those going down someday? And what do you are making of such occasions in a packed calendar yr?
To be truthful, no. This is only for a laugh. I feel we’re all enjoying severely, however on the identical time it is simply 20 issues and we do not do that in a standard match. It’s simply one thing which we’ve on the finish of a yr the place we will get some just right pageant, the entire gamers get in and we wish to win for a group and proportion our revel in with the junior gamers, that is the fundamental thought.
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Coming in your 2022 season. Started the yr with a maiden ATP Tour name, blended ends up in singles. Now whilst you glance again, what do you are making of it?
Actually, I’m slightly satisfied as a result of I wasn’t injured all yr. I may just play all of the yr with out an harm. Yes I did have some tricky losses. But I’m satisfied that I’m 17 in doubles which is likely one of the targets at the beginning of this yr, to get into the highest 100. Just to take the positives, I feel, I’m nonetheless feeling just right and am bodily have compatibility. and sharp. And I’m taking a look ahead to subsequent yr.
Tell me concerning the partnership with Rohan Bopanna. You two had performed only one Davis Cup doubles fit in combination.
I feel it used to be destined. There used to be no plan for it. We simply performed in Adelaide as a result of Édouard Roger-Vasselin did not play. In Pune, I used to be intended to play with every other participant, however then modified it as a result of I gained Adelaide. Then once more we gained in Pune after being fit level down. I suppose the vibe used to be improbable. The toughen from the gang used to be superb and we additionally controlled to play some unreal tennis.
I would really like to play with Bopanna subsequent yr as and when he can. We are nonetheless in just right contact. He’s a really perfect man and he is helping tennis, has his personal academy and he’s citing tennis for the juniors and all ranges. I’ve a large number of admire for him.
You had a mixture of companions all the way through 2022. Most had been doubles consultants. You performed along Alexei Popyrin, a singles specialist, in some of the occasions. How do you alter to their enjoying genre?
Nothing as such as a result of I’m mainly enjoying extra singles and relying at the match I’m going I simply pick out my doubles spouse and therefore it is all ultimate second. Basically, I wasn’t taking a look a lot into doubles this yr as a result of singles is my major center of attention. Yes I had a difficult yr in singles however I’m taking a look ahead to having a really perfect subsequent yr.
Chennai hosted a WTA tournament this yr after an extended very long time. But Vijay Amritraj desires to host an ATP match as neatly from subsequent season. Your response?
I’m hoping we will pull up some just right ATP tournaments which is able to get advantages the Indian gamers. Obviously they’re doing a Challenger in February. I feel we’ve the house benefit and all Indians must make just right issues.
More ATP occasions in India or extra ITFs and Challengers is the way in which ahead?
ATP preferably, however Challengers first of all.
Your targets for 2023 season
Stay wholesome. I experience what I do, which is the primary factor. I simply want to stay operating exhausting and put within the paintings since you by no means know whilst you crack it. I’m simply hoping and praying for the most productive.