Bhupathi imparts knowledge to youngsters

Indian tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi met young enthusiasts at Mahesh Bhupathi Team Tennis academy in Mirdif on Saturday.

By Liaqat Ali

Published: Tue 23 Feb 2010, 12:18 AM

Last updated: Mon 12 Aug 2024, 2:19 PM

It was a dream come true for youngsters as they were overjoyed after getting some tips from the champion.

MBTT was launched in January 2008 in Mirdif next to the new City Centre.

Over 200 kids are being trained under the supervision of Anil Mathew who is the director coaching Operations for MBTT in UAE.

He is a certified professional having experience of over 15 years and has been in Dubai for more than 12 years. He heads a team of dedicated and qualified coaches.

Over 80 kids attended the tennis clinic organised at the training centre on Saturday. The champion spent more than one hour on the court with the kids and shared his knowledge of the sport.

While talking to Khaleej Times Bhupati shed some light on the game.

The star from Bangalore said: “We are very excited how the academy has shaped up. It is nice to see that today 60-70 kids gathered here and all of them enjoying tennis.

“We are going to expand it now and we are planning to take two or three more courts because the demand is pretty high. MBTA is something where my heart is. I see it a way to give back tennis that has given me so much.

“The game has brought out the best in me and it is my goal to give the kids and the residents of Dubai a world class facility.”

“It is not easy produce world class players. It is possible for youngsters to play 15-20 hours a week. The students have other commitments also.

“But we can chisel some diamonds and if they are good enough they can be sent to right places to make them world beaters.

“You can’t push youngsters hard into the game. Parents are more stressed than the players. It is most important for them to enjoy the game.

“It should come from within the kids and if they are ready take the challenge then half the battle is won.”

Bhupati is among the best doubles tennis champions in the world with 11 Grand Slam titles to his credit.

He is satisfied with the performance of Indian players at international level and said: “Sania Mirza has two surgeries last year but she is still playing.

“For a country which had no female tennis player and Sania is literally flying the flag alone. Because of injuries her performance has suffered and I hope she will be back soon in the top 30. In my eye, she is still a world class player.

“As for as I am concerned it is not disappointing, it is very challenging for her and she will be back to her best soon.”

Leander Paes and Bhupati will be pairing again to take on Russia in the Davis Cup next month and the champion was very excited about Commonwealth Games to be staged in India.

“It is first time that tennis is included in the games and we hope there will be good crowd support for us. Hopefully, we will win some medals.”

Talking about Roger Federer he said: “Federer is the greatest player of all times. He has not got a very good record against Rafael Nadal but it does not matter. I do not think he cares about his record against other players after dominating the game so long.

“In my opinion, he can still win 4-5 more Grand Slams to take his tally to 20.”

liaqat@khaleejtimes.com