Vishnu Vardhan interview: "I will be the surprise element"

Vishnu Vardhan, who a month ago was just a promising young player from India, is suddenly all over the news. He’s been selected by the All India Tennis Association (AITA) to partner Leander Paes in the doubles event at the upcoming London Olympics. Life has taken a dramatic U-turn for the 24-year-old Andhra player. In an exclusive talk with Sportskeeda correspondent Taruka Srivastav, Vardhan spoke about the sudden change in his fortunes:

Q. You must be feeling pretty elated after being selected to play in the London Olympics?

Vardhan: Yes I am! Olympics is the biggest dream of every athlete. It’s the absolute pinnacle of the sporting world, the best place to showcase your sporting talent. To be selected for to represent my country at the biggest sporting event in the world is an amazing feeling.

Q. Your inclusion, as has been widely documented, was unexpected, and must have taken you by surprise. Do you feel fully prepared to participate in such a big event?

Vardhan: Yes, it was a surprise call for me to be included into the Olympics. At the start of this year I had no inkling that I would be playing in London. But the last few months I did start thinking that I might have a chance. I was also on the probable list of the Games. So in that respect, my selection has not come completely out of the blue.

I feel I have graduated step-by-step into being prepared for participating in the Olympics. My first big event was the Asian Games, and then last year I played the Davis Cup, so I feel I am ready to participate in such a mega event.

Q. What do you have to say about Leander Paes’s comment about you not having grass shoes and no Grand Slam experience?

Vardhan: It’s true that I have not played any Grand Slam, and I do not have much experience playing at the highest level. But then I had a good run at the Asian Games, and played a good match during the Davis Cup. Also, I know the game style of the players playing the Olympics, but they know nothing about me. This is my advantage over them – I will be the surprise element. Moreover, Leander has tremendous experience on his side, and I am sure he will do everything he can to help me out so that I give my best shot at the Olympics.

I’d also like to point out that it is common for professional tennis players to play with normal hardcourt shoes in grasscourt tournaments. So, in fact, Leander was just showing brotherly concern when he made that comment, to make sure I am prepared with all my gear and equipment. As a matter of fact, since the first time I played on grass on 2007, I have been using specific grasscourt shoes in all my matches on grass.

Q. Have you ever paired up with Leander before?

Vardhan: I haven’t played any professional match with Leander. But I have played a lot of practice matches with him for the last 2 and a half years during Davis Cup campaigns. So I understand his game completely.

Q. Doubles is a game of coordination and compatibility. You have very little time left ahead of Olympics, so how do you plan to develop coordination with Leander?

Vardhan: Having already reached London, I am ready to start my practicing alongside Leander and begin my Olympics preparations in earnest. So during this time we will get to understand the game style of each other and learn how to combine effectively.

Q. How difficult or easy would it be to combine with Leander, considering he’s one of the best doubles player in the world?

Vardhan: I don’t foresee much difficulty in pairing up with Leander. He one of the best doubles players tennis has ever seen and he’s in great form this year. I feel certain that he will complement my game beautifully. And I also think that while partnering someone like Leander, it will be easy to play on court, as he is a great leader.

Q. Can we expect a medal in the Olympics from this new partnership?

Vardhan: There’s going to be very tough competition in London. All the best tennis players of this era will be there. That said, when you play for your country, it’s a different feeling altogether, and I definitely will try my hardest to win a medal for India.

Q. For how long have you been playing tennis now?

Vardhan: It’s been 16 years since I have started playing tennis.

Q. Who or what has formed your support system throughout all that has happened in your career?

Vardhan: My family has been a huge support system for me. Their unconditional support throughout my life has been the thing that has kept me going. Also, my coach, Mr. Nagraj, has been my mentor since the first day of my tennis career. I owe everything to my parents and coach.

Q. From virtual nothingness, to becoming an Olympian. How challenging has the journey been?

Vardhan: The journey has been filled with a lot of hard work and sacrifices, not only by me, but by my family and my coach as well. It is only in the last 2 years that I have tasted some success at the international level. It’s been a long, tough journey so far, but I believe this is the start of good times. Being selected for the Olympics is going to motivate me and my team to go much further.

Edited by Staff Editor
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