In the intensely aggressive world of tennis, it’s simple to lose one’s manner — and sport — within the rat race for rankings.
Experience has taught 28-year-old S. Mukund the necessity to sometimes step again and re-focus, get stronger with one’s sport and health.
Mukund has slipped to be No. 3 within the nation behind Sumit Nagal (169) and the 19-year-old Aryan Shah (450).
Ranked 456, with two ATP factors holding him away from the No. 2 standing within the nation, Mukund just isn’t nervous.
“I was ranked No. 1 briefly. I was losing close matches. I decided to work on the aspects to get better. Took time off to train,” stated Mukund on Sunday, hours after returning to Delhi from China, the place he had misplaced the semifinals in opposition to the No.1 seed.
After taking part in a sequence of Challengers, aside from the profitable Davis Cup tie in opposition to Togo at dwelling, Mukund determined to put together nicely and compete within the ITF occasion in Botou.
“Playing the four Challengers in India immediately after the Davis Cup was hard. And then, one had to play in the qualifying event in a couple of them. Experience teaches us about the art of making the right choice,” stated Mukund.
“Losing close matches is not a mental issue. It only shows that physical preparation has not been good. When you sharpen your game, you are able to execute the shots at key moments that decide a match. You don’t even think. It becomes muscle memory,” he stated.
In per week, Mukund will head to Georgia for the Challengers in Tbilisi.
After having been ranked a profession finest 229 in October 2019, coping with the pandemic, repairing his sport to be one in every of nation’s main singles gamers,
Mukund has stopped complaining in regards to the system or the dearth of assist. Moreover, he’s now with no coach, as his long-time mentor Martin Spottl is out with an Achilles harm.
“Irrespective of the coaching, supportive system or anything, I am responsible for how I play on court, and my results. If I am ranked 456, I can’t blame the world,” stated Mukund, who has now realised that taking accountability is one of the best ways to develop.
Published – May 11, 2025 07:10 pm IST
