S. Mukund. | Photograph: Kamesh Srinivasan
Within the intensely aggressive world of tennis, it’s straightforward to lose one’s means — and recreation — within the rat race for rankings.
Expertise has taught 28-year-old S. Mukund the necessity to sometimes step again and re-focus, get stronger with one’s recreation 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 is just not nervous.
“I used to be ranked No. 1 briefly. I used to be dropping shut matches. I made a decision to work on the facets to get higher. Took time without work to coach,” mentioned Mukund on Sunday, hours after returning to Delhi from China, the place he had misplaced the semifinals towards the No.1 seed.
After enjoying a collection of Challengers, aside from the profitable Davis Cup tie towards Togo at dwelling, Mukund determined to organize effectively and compete within the ITF occasion in Botou.
“Enjoying the 4 Challengers in India instantly after the Davis Cup was laborious. After which, one needed to play within the qualifying occasion in a few them. Expertise teaches us in regards to the artwork of creating the fitting selection,” mentioned Mukund.
“Shedding shut matches is just not a psychological concern. It solely exhibits that bodily preparation has not been good. If you sharpen your recreation, you’ll be able to execute the pictures at key moments that resolve a match. You don’t even assume. It turns into muscle reminiscence,” he mentioned.
In per week, Mukund will head to Georgia for the Challengers in Tbilisi.
After having been ranked a profession greatest 229 in October 2019, coping with the pandemic, repairing his recreation to be one in every of nation’s main singles gamers,
Mukund has stopped complaining in regards to the system or the dearth of help. Furthermore, he’s now and not using a coach, as his long-time mentor Martin Spottl is out with an Achilles harm.
“No matter the teaching, supportive system or something, I’m chargeable for how I play on court docket, and my outcomes. If I’m ranked 456, I can’t blame the world,” mentioned Mukund, who has now realised that taking duty is one of the best ways to develop.
Printed – Could 11, 2025 07:10 pm IST
