Universal Tennis U14 World No. 1 Vihaan Reddy was interviewed by Karnataka Tennis. Some excerpts from the interview below
On his journey into Tennis
My dad used to take me for Tennis because he loved to watch tennis and I didn’t really want to come. But now over the years, I started to like it. I like it much more and obviously it’s my pasture right now.
I am homeschooled this year. So right now, I train tennis in the morning and then I do studies in the evening. I can do studies whenever I want when I go to a tournament. So it’s really convenient.
On his experience at the Wimbledon Championships
I was there at Wimbledon in the last few rounds, so I only saw two or three players but I was was able to see all the top junior players and the kind of food they ate and how they practice and how the pros practice. So it was a really good learning experience.
On winning the USTA Sportsmanship Award at the 2022 Clay Court Championships and 2022 Winter National Championships.
I was really surprised because I didn’t expect it. On the court, I don’t show any emotions and I’ve always called a lot of balls during the rallies in even though they were quite a bit out. So maybe that helped a little bit too.
On the learning experience from playing the ITFs
When I started playing ITFs, I didn’t do a lot of necessary things like stretching after the match or having enough nutrients and electrolytes during the match. But after a couple tournaments I saw everyone else doing it and I started to incorporate that and that helped me a lot.
On advice to the other upcoming players.
You should always have passion because if you don’t, you can’t really get there unless you push yourself and be better every day.
On parents influence on his tennis.
Without my dad and mom, I mean without my dad especially, I wouldn’t be playing tennis right now and my mom always gives me all the proper food. I need all the proper nutrients and the diet and my dad has always pushed me on the tennis side with technical and fitness and stuff.
In my experience the parents have to little bit drive in the beginning because the kids always want to play outside games with their friends. But once they start playing and they develop that, they can only develop that passion by playing.
Role model and goals in Tennis
My role model is Federer and my dream is to be a professional tennis player. Be top 10, then number one and win a Grand Slam.
On his background
My mom is from Yadgir and my dad is from Gulbarga. I’m really grateful to have so many people come and support me and I’m proud to be from that area and know Kannada.