CHENNAI: At the US Open a few months back, Saketh Myneni won three qualifying matches to make his main draw debut. Although he lost that encounter in five sets, he was rewarded about two weeks later when his world ranking peaked at No 137.
With the new year nary a month away, the 29-year-old has got another present — his first-ever singles wild card into an ATP-level event. No prizes for guessing which one.
The Chennai Open on Saturday released the list of wild cards, of which a respectable two of three have been given to Indians. While Ramkumar Ramanathan’s name was announced a few days back, the addition of Myneni and Norway’s Casper Ruud completes the line-up. It’s hardly a surprise, though. Since 1999, the only time the tournament gave just one Indian a wild card was in last year’s edition.
Once Ramkumar’s name was included, Myneni was a shoo-in, on paper, to earn one of the remaining wild cards due to his status as the top-ranked Indian in singles as well as being within the top 200 in the world (No 194 at present).
“It’s a special one, my first in ATP singles. But they gave me doubles wild cards in 2014 and 2015. And this being the only Tour-level event in India, I’m glad they’ve broken the ice,” Myneni told Express. While he reached two Challenger finals in 2015, winning one, he made one this year, in New Delhi.
Myneni had approached the organisers for a wild card about two-three weeks back and was given positive feedback.
He has spent the better part of this month working in Hyderabad with a trainer. Having dealt with cramping issues and injuries in the past, Myneni has spent time to get fitter. “I’ve been working hard and looking forward to the new year. The sport is so physical now. Being fit is the key.”
A source in the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association added that Myneni had earned it due to his consistent play in 2015.
“Saketh is the top Indian player at the moment and has been making good strides. What a difference a year makes! Last year, he played in the qualifying here and now, he has been given a wild card. Next year, maybe he’ll be a direct entrant. Who knows!” the source opined.
rohan@newindianexpress.com