‘Indian tennis in good shape’

India have not produced a singles player of note since the Amritraj brothers. But if super coach Ludovit Cap is to be believed, it is only a matter of time before the drought ends.

Cap, a regular visitor to the country for more than a decade, has witnessed changes that Indian tennis has undergone over the years.

Currently in the capital to hold a special clinic for kids organised by the Peninsula Tennis Academy at the Delhi Gymkhana Club, the American was impressed with the talent on display and feels that “Indian tennis is in good shape”.

“The kids are really excellent here. Indian tennis is going in the right direction. I would say in the next 10-15 years, there will be good players coming from India. There are so many academies in Delhi to groom players,” said Cap, who was also the coach of tennis legend and former Wimbledon champion, Billie Jean King.

But Cap was quick to add that for that to happen, good coaches were needed at the grassroots level.

“Good coaches result in good players but it is a gradual process and it takes time. I have come here 15-16 times in a row. I work with the Professional Tennis Registry and hold clinics for kids and coaches across the world. I want to improve the culture of teaching. If someone has a good base, he can become a good player,” said the California-based coach.

“To reach the highest level you need more than just skills. You have to be very fit. You need strength to play strokes. You also need mental conditioning. It is a skill which needs to be cultivated as no one is born mentally strong. Nutrition also plays a important role. All these things combine to become a successful player and it takes time,”he added.

Cap rued the lack of top class equipment in India. But he felt that the conditions had improved by leaps and bound when compared to earlier days.

“The equipment sometimes lags behind, Europe. But I must say that since I first came here 15 years back, things are very different. Coaching standards have also improved greatly.”

Cap felt apart from physical and mental strength and training, one needed some amount of luck to excel at the world level.

“When Bjorn Borg start playing, there were no great players before him from Sweden. But after that, so many players started coming from that region like Stefen Edberg and many more.

“In India, the Amritraj brothers started the trend and many followed in their footsteps.

“Sania Mirza is another big name here. She is an inspiration for so many girls here. One should start the trend,” Cap said.

“Luck is also involved in making one a super star. With the element of luck... once you have all these things its like a snowball effect.”