We are into the final few weeks of 2022. Few highlights of Indian tennis this year included two major Nationals. The 36th National Games in Gujarat which took place after 7 long years and the National Championships in New Delhi. In the men’s singles category Manish Sureshkumar dominated both these events. Apart from these he also lifted the singles title at ITF Colombo and 3 doubles ITF trophies this year.
We had a chance to talk to Manish when he was at the RK Khanna Tennis Stadium for the $15K ITF. Below are the excerpt :
Q) We are into the last few weeks of the year and you had a good season with 1 singles and 3 doubles titles also National Games and then the Fenesta title. So how do you view this season ?
MS : Yeah it’s been few good weeks for me. I went into the National Games wanting to win it and also the Nationals because it’s always been a goal for me to win the Nationals at a point of time. I have been trying it from the junior days and I haven’t been able to do it, so I am really happy that this time I was able to get the job done. So yeah overall a good season and hopefully I can do well in next tournaments and let’s see what happens.
Q) How was your experience playing at the National Games, like the venue and organizing since it happened after 7 years ?
MS : They organized the tournament really well. The stay was fantastic, they provided really good stay. And we were like quite surprised and we felt really good about it. And even the venue like all the sports were happening in the same place, so it was really nice. We can also go and watch the other sports so it was very nice. So yeah overall the venue was amazing and all of us had fun and we also enjoyed playing at that venue and it was a good memory for me.
Q) Thoughts on AITA organizing new upcoming tournaments ? How will it help the players ?
MS : Yeah definitely, I mean if you see the draw it will mostly be Indians and definitely Indians are gonna make a lot of points. So yeah it’s gonna help Indian tennis and we’ll definitely see players coming into the top 400 or even better if there are more tournaments at home because it’s also going to be a home advantage. And the Indians will do better here.
Q) It’s been a busy couple of months so how does your body feel ?
MS : Yeah actually I am little tired but I have to keep going that’s part of the process. So yeah I’d like to keep going and keep giving my best and I’m thinking of going to Spain in December after the leagues. And hopefully I can get a good off season training there and I can come back fresh for the challengers in India.
Q) So you are under 600 right now, what are your goals for the rest of the season ranking wise and also scheduling wise ?
MS : So like I said I would like to mix futures and challengers so that is the plan. Ranking wise I want to get into the top 300. It’s been the barrier for last few years, I have been trying really hard but hopefully next year I am able to break the barrier and go ahead and achieve my goal.
Rapid Fire with Manish :
| Dream Mixed Doubles Partner | Sania Mirza |
| Dream Opponent | Novak Djokovic |
| National Games Gold or Fenesta Title | Fenesta Title |
| Favourite Grand Slam | Wimbledon |
| Last TV Series you watched | The Mentalist |
