New Delhi, September 10 (Daily Kiran) : Rohit Rajpal, India’s non-playing captain for the Davis Cup, expressed that competing for the nation in significant events like the Asian Games and Davis Cup brings a distinct level of responsibility. He noted that this pressure is unlike that of regular individual competitions.
Rajpal, who won a bronze medal in tennis at the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing, is optimistic about India’s chances of securing medals in the upcoming multi-sport event. The Asian Games will take place from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Meanwhile, the Indian team will face South Korea in the Davis Cup World Group Qualifier Round 2 on September 18 and 19 in Seoul.
In an interview, Rajpal stated, “Playing in the Davis Cup or Asian Games involves a unique pressure of representing your country and its flag. The responsibility increases when you represent your nation.”
Despite a surprising reduction in the Indian tennis contingent from 12 to 7 players, which leaves no women competing in singles, Rajpal remains hopeful for strong performances in Japan.
“I am a medalist from the Asian Games. We have always contributed to the medal tally. Tennis has consistently delivered good results for India. In the last Asian Games, if I recall correctly, we secured three or four medals. This time, we will certainly contribute again,” he added.
Rajpal also shed light on the challenges faced by Indian players transitioning from junior careers on the ITF circuit to becoming well-known professionals on the ATP Tour. He emphasized that modern training methods and support systems are rapidly bridging the physical gaps. Historically, Indian players mature later than their European or American counterparts due to differences in upbringing.
He explained, “In Europe and America, you are expected to leave home and start managing your expenses at a young age. Once you do that, you are expected to forge your own path in life. These experiences contribute significantly to your personal development, which is evident on the court or in any sport you play. As we progress, this is changing because the sport has become much more physical.”
Rajpal stressed the importance of structural support to bridge the physical and mental gaps that players face when competing against seasoned opponents who are often much older. He noted that they have access to good physiotherapists, and players are genuinely focused on closing that gap.
He concluded, “What happens is that when you start playing against juniors and you cross the age of 18, you suddenly find yourself up against players who are 10 years older, stronger, and more mature. You need to match their level, and this is where the challenge begins. These are the issues every player faces during their transition. We are getting better at handling these challenges.”
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