Indian tennis doesn’t lack guidance, you play the hand you're dealt with, says Vijay Amritraj
Vijay Amritraj has been of the opinion that Indian tennis doesn’t lack a role model or individual guidance and it all depends on the players to perform. The Indian tennis legend also stated that India’s lack of success at Davis Cup and Fed Cup has restricted them from moving forward.
As far as the progress of Indian tennis is concerned, India have neither progressed significantly nor regressed in the last few years. And while the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, or Novak Djokovic have been the modern legends of the games, Amritraj doesn’t believe India need such role models to reach there.
“I don't think the guidance today is not about what we see or know of. There is so much exposure on social media and television that there's nothing you don't know or see. When I was playing, it was like this guy is playing at the highest level, winning so many matches on the biggest stages and that's what we need to do now,” said Amritraj, reported Sportstar.
“And that's what happened to Sweden also, with Bjorn Borg and then Mats Wilander and Stefan Edberg and so on. Today Swedish tennis is not in the same boat as it was in the heydays of 70s and 80s. I think if you have to look at it and say, at the end off the day it all comes down to the individual and be able to play the hand you have been dealt,” Amritraj added.
When asked about the reason why India haven’t moved ahead in the sport, Amritraj refused to blame the players’ lack of success or pick at the All India Tennis Association. He pointed out India’s under-average displays at the Davis Cup or Fed Cup for it.
“I don't think it's through lack of trying. Not being part of the World Group in Davis Cup and Fed Cup and not being regularly in all the Grand Slams is where we have dropped a bit now.
“I don't think the AITA would look at it as their job to do that (getting sponsorships). The most important aspect of the AITA is to afford them tournament opportunities, to see they get as many tournaments as they can. And there is probably no sense in getting the biggest tournaments because they won't get in. So you've got to get the smallest tournaments so that they can get in.”
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