Passion is the key: Harry Haines
Australian tennis coach Hanies advises kids at a coaching clinic at Willingdon Sports Club.
Australian tennis coach Harry Haines conducted a clinic for youngsters at the Willingdon Sports Club on Saturday. Haines, who has been ITF tennis senior’s player and Professional tennis consultant, was excited about his visit to Mumbai and all praise of the tennis courts.
“It’s wonderful to be in this city (Mumbai) which is so vibrant and full of energy. These courts are as beautiful and like paradise in the middle of this metropolis,” said the Australian.
Haines was impressed with the talent also and stressed that passion is the key to success and to become a top tennis player. “If you don’t have the passion for sport, you can get nowhere. To become a big in tennis, you should have the passion to train hard, work on your fitness and keep improving your skills and I wish all the youngsters in Mumbai and India to be passionate about this sport and I believe that you can go all the way,” he said.
The affable Aussie touched upon the passion of 38-year-old Swiss maestro Roger Federer, who on Friday marked his 400th Grand Slam title with a third round victory in the French Open.
“Federer is exceptional, and I love him. He is a very consonant profession and at 38 years of age and still fighting, oh my goodness,” exclaimed the Australian.
“Even Rafa (Rafael Nadal) is another example of a great tennis player. Unfortunately he has been hampered by injuries, but still with a good brain he manages to fight and stay at the top. We seeing a generation of tennis now and from those top professionals he is very special,” Haines further stated.
He felt Novak Djokjovic and couple of other guys have been fiercely competing in the men’s tennis but back home they are facing problems to produce top players.
“Back home in Australia we have a problem with the tennis players and not many have been coming up on ranks. Of late we have not been able to groom youngsters in the country and build them to reach the top in world tennis,” he pointed out.
24-year-old Nick Kyrgios is their second best ranked men’s tennis player who is currently at number 36 and has held World No 13 position previously. But the athlete has invited more criticism due to his behaviour than applause for his talent. His behaviour has not proved just bad for Australian Tennis but global tennis in general.
“We got a problem with the men in Australia. There is Nick Kyrgios, who is intelligent, but the man is stupid. A crazy one, so when he finishes then I think Australian tennis will come good.” Haines said.
However, in Alex de Minaur they can hope for good future as the 20-year-old is doing well and is currently the best ranked Australian at World No 25.