BENGALURU: After the success of the first edition of the Tabebuia Open - wheelchair tennis tournament, last year, the second edition of the tourney is back from December 14 to 17 at the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA) in the city. This edition promises to be a bigger and more exciting affair. CE profiles two players from the state who are amongst the best in the country.
Shekar Veeraswamy, a native of Bengaluru is the country’s top ranked men’s wheelchair tennis player.
In 2005, when he was 17 years old, Shekar met with an accident that resulted in amputation of his left foot. The incident did not deter him from achieving his dreams. The father of two uses a basic prosthetic limb and is presently an assistant coach at KSLTA.
How did you first got introduced to wheelchair tennis?
When I was eight years old, I started working in a silver lamp polishing shop in Bengaluru. At the age of 10, I started working as a ball boy at KSLTA. After three to four years as a ball boy, I had learnt to play tennis and started worked as a hitter. I was then introduced to wheelchair tennis in 2010 after my accident. The popular Niranjan Ramesh at KSLTA is my coach and mentor.
There are a number of other games and sports people with disabilities take to. Why did you specifically choose tennis?
I have been passionate about tennis from the first day I started working as a ball boy at KSLTA. I wanted to play professionally. Tennis is my livelihood. I know nothing else. It fed me before my accident and still continues to feed me. KSLTA was kind enough to employ me despite my disability.
What do you want to achieve in life through wheelchair tennis or even irrespective of it?
I want to represent India in the Para-Olympics in 2020. I wish I had the resources to buy a decent tennis wheelchair that all players abroad use and attend more tournaments. In order to qualify for the Olympics one has to play atleast 10 tournaments abroad. With my meagre salary, I can only support my family. All tournaments that I have played abroad has been due to donations by private individuals and I am always grateful for that.
What are your suggestions to make society and sports more access to people with disabilities?
I hope society and the government recognises and supports the work by individuals like Sunil Jain of Aasta Foundation who are working extremely hard to develop the game in India. Providing more resources for adaptive/para sports will make a huge difference in the lives of the differently abled in India.
Achievements
International tournaments
Singles winner and doubles finalist at the Bangkok Cup in Thailand, October 2017 and the Malaysia Open in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 2016
Tournaments in India
Singles and doubles winner at the 2nd National Wheelchair Tennis Championships, December 2011; the 3rd National Paralympic Wheelchair Tennis Championship, November 2013; the 4th National Paralympic Wheelchair Tennis Championship, January 2015; the
Tabebuia Open for Wheelchair Tennis, December 2016. He was also the singles and doubles finalist at the Marina Open AITA Ranking Wheelchair Tennis Tournament, August 2017.
Polio does not slow down this player
Since the age of three, Prathima Rao was struck with polio. With determination she completed her diploma in computer science an got a job at a hospital in the city.
“I wanted to do something extraordinary in sports and tried athletic and tennis. I chose tennis. Leander Paes and Andy Murray are my two favourite players. I used to look at their style and adapt some of their techniques during my practice,” says Pratima who mostly practices during the weekends. Pratima is presently one of the high ranked women wheelchair tennis player from the country. “When I first learned about wheelchair tennis and understood varied plays and techniques to understand, I was excited and my interest towards the game grew even more,” she adds.
Originally from Mangalore, Pratima spends a lot of time at the KSLTA. “Practicing professional tennis is very expensive. My chief trainer at the KSLTA came forward to sponsor coaching for me. It led me to medals and a very improved game,”
Besides her hardwork, Pratima says she is indebted and grateful to her friends and family for their support. “I have an 11 year old son, Prithivi. If it wasn’t for my husband others who supported me, I would have given up long back. My son is very cooperative and tries to help me in my endeavours with the smallest things. My son takes care of himself and he doesn’t disturb me even while getting ready for school. He will always say, “mom go for practice. I want to see you soon on TV and on top”.”
She says tennis is a game of mental as strength more than that of physical strength.
Achievements
Singles runner-up at the Marina Opens 2017; Singles and doubles winner at the Tabebuia Open 2016; Best Sarthaknaari Women’s Achievement Award 2016.
Singles and doubles winner at KSLTA Level Tournament 2016; Singles and doubles runners-up at the 4th National Wheelchair Championship 2015