Following his Grand Slam junior debut against Brazilian 10th seed Joao Fonseca in the 2023 Australian Open Boys’ Singles 1st round, India’s No. 1 junior Aryan Shah and coach Vaidik Munshaw share their reflections with ITD.
Aryan Shah · Australian Open 2023 Boys’ Singles
Grand Slam Junior Debut| Round | Match | Score | Result | Match Breakdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | Aryan Shah (IND, 44) l. (10)Joao Fonseca (BRA, 21) | 1-6, 2-6 | LOST | First career Grand Slam junior appearance |
“This is Aryan’s very first Grand Slam — competing against a top-10 seed here shows us the exact physical and tactical areas we need to build for Roland Garros and Wimbledon.”
— Coach Vaidik Munshaw · Melbourne Park ExclusiveIndian No. 1 and World No. 39 Aryan Shah had his first exposure on the big stage at the Australian Open Boys Singles Draw. After a tough loss to Joao Fonseca, Aryan Shah and Coach Vaidik Munshaw took time to speak to ITD on their assessment of this match
[R1] Aryan Shah (IND, 44) l. (10) Joao Fonseca (BRA, 21) 1-6 2-6
The match was okay. I had good preparation coming into the match and so did not expect the match to go this way. The credit goes to the opponent as well – he is quite good. However, I did not stay up to the level I can.
It is the first time for me on this stage, so I was a bit nervous but I have nothing to complain about – I have to accept it and move on.
I am a bit unwell but being a tennis player, I cannot complain about such things. I have to face it and play on with these challenges.
The hard truth is I did not play that well. So I will accept it and move on.
Lot of things that I could have done differently and a lot of things to improve as well. I have to speak to my coach as well to assess this match.
The training has been good. I had a good training block before the tourney as well. So I have come well prepared.
Overall hotness and humidity was similar to India but the major issue was the wind which I had to get used to.
I was excited and nervous. My singles match is finished but I have the doubles match coming up – so I will stay focused and prepare for that.
I have seen a couple of pro players and their routines over the past day to prepare for the matches. This is a major thing to work on for us Indian players. There is a lot of work on the fitness side that is needed for most of the Indian players.
I am playing the Khelo India games coming up. Then I am playing the Futures in India and then headed to Europe for training and the next set of tournaments.
Aryan was pretty overawed by the occasion and nervous. I tried my best to ease the nerves by trying to make him enjoy the moment.
This is his first Grand Slam. There are a few players who tend to get nervous, that is ok, it is all part of the learning process.
His opponent was good and played amazing tennis. He could have done a lot of things differently which he was not able to.
We need to work on certain aspects which I am sure that Aryan himself has realized now. There is no other workaround to hard work now.