32-year-old tennis player Divij Sharan is India's second-highest ranked doubles player after Rohan Bopanna. Sharan, who turned pro in 2004, has finally begun to make his presence felt at the highest level.
Divij Sharan is India’s second-highest ranked doubles player after Rohan Bopanna. The 32-year-old tennis player, who turned pro in 2004, has finally begun to make his presence felt on the highest level.
Ahead of the 2018 Asian Games, World No.38 Sharan speaks about his maiden Grand Slam quarter-final, his struggles of finding a regular partner and his chances at the multi-sport event next month in Indonesia.
Wimbledon certainly was a turning point in your career. Take us through your maiden Grand Slam quarter-final.
Both Artem [Sitak] and I went into the quarter-finals really confident. We had won our previous two matches being two sets to love down. Our opponents were also a really strong team who eventually won the tournament. Mike regained his No.1 ranking and Jack won his second Wimbledon doubles title. But personally, I felt it was my best match in the tournament. I played well in all aspects of the game. The first three sets were really close as we played three tiebreaks. It would have helped us if we had won a few more points in the first two tiebreaks that we lost.
How has the partnership with New Zealand’s Artem been so far?
Before starting to play with Artem, I had played with multiple partners through the year. Artem and I decided to play the grass-court season together. We made semifinals in our first tournament together in Hertogenbosch and had some tough losses against some good teams in the following weeks. Losing early in Eastbourne meant we got more time to train and prepare for Wimbledon. I think our partnership has a lot of potential as we complement each other really well. Both of us played our first Grand Slam quarter finals together which also brought us to our career high rankings of 34 (Artem) and 36.
It must be frustrating not being able to find a regular partner? What are your plans to rectify this?
It’s obviously ideal to have a steady partner but I’ve learnt a lot from playing with different players. It’s helped me focus on myself and see how best I can contribute to the team instead of relying on the partnership. Having said that, it’s just a phase in my tennis career and I’ll hopefully find a regular partner for the tour soon.
You are going to partner Rohan Bopanna in the upcoming Asian Games. Do you see gold on the cards?
I’m really looking forward to playing at the Asian Games. I won a bronze medal in Incheon. I hope I can go all the way and get a gold medal for India this time.
Divij Sharan (R) won bronze medal partnering Yuki Bhambri in 2014
What is your next goal?
My next goal is to break into the top 30 as that would ensure my entry into almost all the big events through the year.
You took very little time from jumping from top 50 to top 40. What have you been doing differently?
I’ve tried to keep the focus within. Work on my game and see how I can contribute to the team. I have my strengths and I placed my belief and faith in them to help me move forward. I’ve also been working on my processes and routines.
Tell us about your current coach.
I have been working with Abhijeet Tiwari over the last few years. Since he has been traveling with me this summer, it has helped me a lot. I’ve also been working on the mental side of the game and the processes with Badri Narayanan for the last one year.
Where do you train when in India?
When I’m home in Delhi I train at Team Tennis Academy with Aditya Sachdeva. He has been traning and advicing me for over 14 years now and he has a huge role in what my game is today.
Which is your favourite Grand Slam out of the four?
Even though the grass-court season is really short, grass is probably my favourite surface and Wimbledon is my favourite tournament of the year.
Who has been your idol?
I don’t think I have an idol but Roger Federer and Pete Sampras have always been my favourite players.
What made you choose tennis professionally?
I started playing tennis when I was 7. They opened a tennis academy at my school, Modern School Vasant Vihar. I won four rounds in the very first tournament I played. I then represented Delhi in the U- 12s and played junior Davis cup for India as well when I was 14. I played all the junior Grand Slams when I was 18. I guess I always wanted to win Grand Slams and represent India all over the world but this is when I actually decided to take up tennis as a profession.
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