Back to basics for Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan

Kochi: It is indeed no surprise that promising youngster Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan bagged a wild card to the Chennai Open, especially after Somdev Devvarman made the cut directly by virtue of Estonian Jurgen Zopp’s pull out.

This 25-year-old southpaw is ranked 312 in the world and, needless to say, has his task cut out in the tournament. Jeevan has had an excellent season with 50 singles wins in ITF events, including a title triumph, and hopes to carry the momentum into the Chennai Open.

Motivation wouldn’t be a problem because the ATP event is happening in his own backyard.

Jeevan was delighted with the wild card. “I knew it was coming. I started believing in my chances after Somdev got a direct entry,” he said. He also knows that it is not going to be easy competing in an ATP event and that a daunting challenge lies ahead of him. “Although it is very exciting to play in a premier tournament, I’m also aware that some of the world’s best compete here. It is a privilege to get a chance to play in the main draw,” he added.

The player is putting his heart and soul into preparation for the tournament. “I have been training hard on strengthening my basics. I’m following my regular routine without too many experiments,” he said.

Jeevan is also making sure he is getting used to the conditions before the tournament gets underway. “It is very important that I get accustomed to the conditions here and know how these courts play. It is a little slow and I need to adjust my game according to it,” he added.

The arrival of junior Davis Cup coach Nandan Bal whom he knows from his junior Davis Cup days has come as a shot in the arm for Jeevan. “Nandan knows me for a long time now. He knows my game, my strengths and it will be great to have him around. His help and advice will be useful,” he said.

The pull-out of the defending champion Janko Tipsarevic may have come as a blow to tennis buffs but Jeevan feels that the tournament has depth and there are many seeds who are capable of going all the way. “There are some big names in the tournament. The pull-out of the defending champion has surely left the field open but there are fine players who can claim their stake for the trophy,” he said.

Jeevan’s productive season should help him approach the tournament with confidence. “Yes, my performance this season and the number of singles win I have in the bag this season are definitely encouraging. I hope I will be able to extend my good season, even though the gulf in class between the ITF circuit and ATP Tour is huge,” he said.

The player hopes that the formation of the Indian Tennis Players’ Association (ITPA) is a step in the right direction. “I feel the ITPA can guide young players and work for better facilities at grassroots level,” he said. Jeevan’s mantra is simple: work hard, prepare well, believe in yourself and the results will follow. Jeevan must be excited at the opportunity of playing his first ATP main draw.