The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : This is the best team: Sandeep Kirtane

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 03, 2004

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Sport - Tennis

This is the best team: Sandeep Kirtane

By Our Sports Reporter

CHENNAI, MAY 2. Non-playing captain Sandeep Kirtane is over the moon. Rightly so. For this Indian tennis team has achieved what none before it had done — topping the under-16 Asia-Oceania Zone of the Davis Cup held at Colombo. With the victory, India has qualified for the World Group to be held in Barcelona in September.

Talking to reporters on the team's arrival here on Sunday, the former Davis Cupper was confident that the team would put its best foot forward in the World Group.

"These (three) are the best players we have in the age group at the moment. Qualification (for the World Group) was not an issue. I advised them to play positively and not to be complacent."

Sandeep also praised AITA for selecting the right team. "The three-day camp in Chennai helped us a lot as the weather conditions and the courts were similar," said Sandeep. He added that it now depends on how well the team plans and prepares itself for the big occasion.

The non-playing captain heaped praise on the three players — Rupesh Roy, Jeevan Nedunchezian and Sanam Singh. "Jeevan is one of the best clay-court players we have and Rupesh is an immensely talented though a bit temperamental. Sanam too is a wonderful player even though he is at his best on hard courts."

One of the star players in India's triumph was the lad from Chennai, Jeevan. The 15-year-old did not lose a set in the five (singles) ties the team played. "It is the biggest moment in my career," he said.

Jeevan, who was part of the Indian team in the World Group last year, picked out Korea as the team that proved a hard nut to crack. "They are very quick on court and moreover the clay courts suit their style of play."

Sanam, who played doubles (with Rupesh) against Korea, Japan, and Philippines, said "it was a great feeling." "We worked and played hard. Our off-court togetherness also played an important part."

India, surprisingly, did not find it tough against the top-seed Australia and the team won 2-0 in the final. "We were not under any pressure. We knew that the Australians were not that good on clay. So we were mentally prepared," said Sanam.

Rupesh, the top player for India, said that he was happy to be part of a history making team.

Hiten Joshi, Director, TNTA, M.P. Shankar, Secretary, TNTA and family members of Jeevan received the team on its arrival at the airport.

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