Arjuna Awardee Saketh Myneni is in Chennai for the ATP Challenger Chennai Open. Harini caught up with Saketh for a brief interview for Indian Tennis Daily.
Myneni discusses his recent tournament wins, the challenges of playing in Chennai, his goals for the upcoming year, and opens up about his personal life in a candid rapid-fire round. He also reflects on his comeback from a serious illness in 2024.
Harini Raman: Saketh, thanks for joining us. Let’s start with 2024. You had a long break. What happened?
Saketh Myneni: I got injured during a tournament, actually. I got sick and was hospitalized for almost two weeks. It took a while to recover, and I was out for six months. I didn’t start playing again until October.
Harini Raman: How did you feel physically when you returned?
Saketh Myneni: Initially, it was tough. It took a toll on me. I gradually got back into it. Tennis wasn’t the issue; the physical aspect was the biggest challenge. It was a struggle initially, but I overcame it. I had a little off-season in December and now I’m back on the road.
Harini Raman: This season, you’ve already won two titles with different partners in as many months. How has that been? Changing partners isn’t always easy.
Saketh Myneni: I’m glad I won some tournaments and got some matches under my belt. You always have to keep improving your game, both as a team and individually. That’s been my focus – seeing how I can improve and learn to play with different partners and adapt. That’s the biggest thing in doubles: having good chemistry and a solid game plan.
Harini Raman: You’re back in Chennai after a year. How are you finding the conditions?
Saketh Myneni: It’s tough. The temperatures are never easy here. It’s always hot and humid. That’s the biggest challenge for all the athletes, and for me too. But I love playing here because it’s a sporting city. I’m glad to be back and competing again.
Harini Raman: What are your goals for 2025? Do you have a stable doubles partner at the moment?
Saketh Myneni: Not yet. I’d love to compete for the full season, play as many matches as possible, and keep improving. That’s my primary goal.
RAPID FIRE
| Hobbies | I love movies. I’m not a big book reader, but I love seeing those books turned into movies. I also love spending time with family. That’s a good hobby for me right now |
| Favorite travel destination | Any place with a beach and mountains around. I love that combination |
| A place you haven’t been to but want to visit | Any place in Africa. I’ve never been to the continent, so I’d love to go there |
| Home-cooked meal you love | Dal and rice |
| Toughest loss in your career | Twice in the men’s doubles final at the Asian Games. I really wanted to get gold for India |
| A song that’s on repeat for you right now | At the moment, I haven’t been listening to much music. Whatever comes on TV or what my friends are listening to, I like to hear that. It’s new for me. I like to learn different languages too. But right now, I don’t have anything specific |
| Favorite player | I always adored Andre Agassi growing up. Still do. I love the way he carries himself on and off the court |
| If not a tennis player, then what | I could have been an engineer or a doctor or something. Typical Indian families, you never know what comes out |
| What’s the most unusual place you’ve ever played tennis | Agri, Turkey. The altitude was really high, and it was tough conditions |