Patna: Former world number one doubles tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi called for a systematic approach to nurturing tennis talent in India, lamenting the lack of structured pathways for young players. Speaking at the Bihar Museum on Saturday, Bhupathi stressed that while cricket benefits from structured age-group tournaments like the Under-14, 16, and 19 categories, tennis lacks such a framework. “I’ve been raising my voice for this for 20 years,” Bhupathi said, underscoring the need for reform.
In a move that could mark a significant step towards rectifying this gap, Bhupathi revealed plans for the establishment of a tennis academy in Bihar later this year. The academy will be equipped with top-tier coaching staff, aiming to create an environment conducive to producing future tennis champions.
Bhupathi’s comments were part of a broader discussion on the development of tennis in Bihar, which saw the participation of key stakeholders including Bihar State Sports Authority Director General Ravidan Shankar, Additional Chief Secretary of the Sports Department B Rajender, and Sports Department Director Mahed Kumar.
Speaking on the demands of professional tennis, Bhupathi emphasized the importance of patience, hard work, and dedication for budding players. “After identifying talent around the ages of 10 to 12, it takes at least seven to eight years of intense training to truly hone that potential,” he explained. “There will be moments of frustration, but it’s essential to keep pushing forward with a focus on the long-term goal.”
