Vishnu Vardhan and Sriram Balaji clear for maiden Wimbledon as a team
Indian tennis players Vishnu Vardhan and Sriram Balaji are basking in the glory of qualifying for their maiden Wimbledon campaign as a pair. According to Vishnu Vardhan, he is not concerned with the opinions of others as playing in Wimbledon will be like a dream coming true for both of them.
Vishnu Vardhan and Sriram Balaji had overthrew Denys Molchanov of Ukraine and Slovakia's Igor Zelenay to secure a position for themselves in Wimbledon. Defeating the pair by 6-3, 6-4, they have exhibited an exceptional performance. Vishnu and Sriram have been known for their tenacious efforts put towards improving their game and they have been paving their way in ITFs and the challengers. Getting their maiden Wimbledon was definitely a big moment for them, which made Vishnu quite emotional.
“It is a dream come true for us to play in Wimbledon. People may say whatever they want but playing in a Grand Slam, be it singles or doubles is in itself huge,” Vishnu said.
Due to tendonitis, he was hindered in his pursuit of achieving higher ranks in the tally as well as developing his games in the singles, which he recounts made him to slow his pace in achieving his goals.
“Injury always comes at a wrong time. In 2012 I was going through the best phase of my career at this very place. People took note of me when I played alongside Leander. I was ranked No. 2 in the country. I was determined to break into the top rung but then injury struck. I was out of competition for more than a year,” said Vishnu.
After he won three ITF titles last year with being recalled for the Davis Cup squad, he realized that his play is suited more for doubles. He has appreciated his partner, Sriram Balaji and considers more of a friend.
“It was somewhere around this time last year that I decided to take a plunge into doubles. My style of play always suited doubles,” he added.
“We won a couple of Challengers. Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam where there is qualification in doubles, so just decided to give it a try. Bala has been more a friend than a partner. We complement each other on the court and our friendship will be always there."