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The Rediff Interview / Sonal Phadke

'I am very excited, but don’t want to let that get in my way'

Sonal Phadke is barely seventeen, but has managed a great feat - a direct entry into the Australian Open Tennis Championships in the juniors' category. Indeed, not surprising considering her exploits on the national scene and in international tournaments. She is doing her twelfth from Sydhenam College of Commerce, Bombay, - in fact her prelims are on - and will be missing out on some papers as she leaves for Australia today to participate in the first Grand Slam event of the millennium.

Sonal comes from a family with a sports background. Her father played cricket as a hobby and her mother kho-kho at the state level.

Sukanya Verma visited the Phadke residence for an interview with Sonal. She had gone for practise, so before she returned, her father spoke of how tennis was being given low priority in India, and the problems his daughter faced to obtain a visa for Australia, saying no help whatsoever was forthcoming from the government.

After a long wait, Sonal arrived and proudly sat next to the mantel displaying the the numerous medals and trophies she won in various tournaments.

How did you start out playing tennis?

My mother used to go to this club... P.J. Hindu Gymkhana and would play tennis with my uncle and my grand dad. So I used to go with my grand dad and would watch them play. I would actively watch tennis matches on television. I then started training and coaching under Mr. G. Koregaonkar. I wasn’t a part of the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association then. After that I started doing well in the under-10 age group. I won my first tournament - the Bagpiper Gold - which was a state ranking tournament. I then won many more state rankings tournaments. As I did well in the state, my parents decided to send me for national tournaments, conducted by the All India Tennis Association. I won two under-14 events, and was the under-16 joint winner in the National Sriram event in Delhi. I was also the runner-up in Numerambakam in 1998. I have been playing tennis since I was eight.

I represented the country in the under-14 and under-16 World Youth Cups in China and Japan respectively. I also went to Africa for the East-Asian circuit and participated in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournaments. I did quite well out there. I won four tournaments. I was runner-up about five times. I won the latest ITF tournaments in Calcutta, Tanzania and Nairobi, as well as the doubles in Nairobi and Calcutta. Because of those particular performances I think I got into the Australian Open.

What was your reaction when you learnt that you were selected for the Australian Open?

I was really excited. That’s one tournament which all players dream of playing in. It’s a Grand Slam junior tournament. I had worked really hard to get there. I made it, so I am very happy with myself.

What kind of support did you garner from your parents and school all this while?

My parents never put pressure on me. They just wanted me to pass in my academic career - do my tenth (SSC Board). In my school (St.Anne’s Girls' High School), they would give me leave of absence for tournaments. They supported me in a big way. The honorary treasurer of the MSLTA, Mr. Sharad Kanambar, and honorary secretary, Mr. Bharat Ahuja, have helped me a lot. They supported me financially also. They arranged to sponsor most of my tours abroad. They are doing it for me in Australia also.

How are you preparing for the Australian Open?

Actually, my preliminary examinations for the H.S.C (Higher Secondary Certificate) are on at the moment. But I go for practise early in the morning, around 7 am, at the MSLTA and train for about two-and-a-half-hours. I do my physical training for half an hour or forty-five minutes with Jude D’Souza.

What exactly do you do during training?

Warming up first, followed by stretching. I practise my forehands, backhands. I am working a lot on my serve now. To improve my serve I do volleys. After that I play points and sets. I do match practise, and then cool down again. Run and stretch. Later I start with my physical training.

Which do you prefer more, playing singles or doubles?

I prefer playing singles.

Which have you won more?

I have won mostly in singles.

How compatible are you with your co-players while playing doubles, as coordination is of utmost importance?

Right! I first partnered Lisa Pereira, but then since she couldn’t make it for one of the tournaments I had to partner Nona Wagh. We always do well together as we have been playing state tournaments together. We know each other really well. In Africa I partnered a Pakistani girl, Nida Wasim. We did well. We won a tournament out there. Now for this Australian Open, we might team up again.

Do you think you have been equipped with the kind of facilities a player should have?

I can't say anything about the past,. but now I do get good facilities. The facilities at the MSLTA are commendable. There is a lot of financial support. The infrastructure is well developed. Like they have these floodlit courts, so I can play at night if I don’t have the time in the morning.

I was talking to your dad earlier and learnt that apart from the fact that Yonex and Proline, who are sponsoring your rackets and clothing, your trip to Australia is entirely at your own cost.

The MSLTA is sponsoring the tour for me. But my stay in Melbourne is at my own expense. They (government) should pick up performing players, maybe the top three, and support them fully. Whether it is accommodation, lodging or travelling expenses.

Do you have a coach?

I do have a coach. It’s under a scheme where Nandan Bal, the former Davis Cupper, comes and trains us for four days a month. But everyday I play with Mr. Manoj Vaidya. He coaches and trains us everyday. It is good to have a coach.

What are your views on the current status of tennis in India?

I think its good. What Leander (Paes) and Mahesh (Bhupathi) have done in doubles is admirable. But you have to do something like that in singles also. They are the top two in the doubles. Like now, Leander just lost in the Gold Flake Open to Cedric Pioline in the singles. He himself has said that he wants to be in the top 50. Tennis is catching on in a big way in India. Earlier there was Vijay Amritraj and Ramesh Krishanan. But after them, there was a long gap. Paes and Bhupathi have resurfaced now. More and more tennis players are coming up. Sunil Kumar just won the men’s national from the juniors. Nirupa Vaidyanathan, Manisha Malhotra are doing well in the women’s category.

Who is your ideal tennis player?

I want to be like Monica Seles. I have always looked up to her. She attacks the ball, never gives up. She works hard for every point. She was at the top. I try to get as close as I can. I also like Steffi Graf, Martina Hingis and Pete Sampras.

Apart from tennis, what other sports interest you?

I play badminton, table tennis; I swim. I play basketball. That’s it!

How do you view the competition?

It is tough but I think it should rise high.

How do you manage to shuttle between books and rackets?

I don’t know. (Smiles). When I am on tour, I just take along my textbooks and notes. My mother helps me a lot in economics. I get about 60-65 per cent marks.

Is it the first time that you are going to Australia?

Yes. I have been to many places alone. I have been to Africa alone. But this is a major tournament. I am very excited, but don’t want to let that get in my way. I have to be cool and practise really hard.

What are your goals for the year 2000?

My goal last year was to get into all four Grand Slams. I will be getting into all the main draws in the junior Grand Slams. My aim this year will be to play more WTA (women’s tournaments) and try and get my ranking higher. Right now I have got just one-and-a-half points in the WTA rankings. I have to play more tournaments and get a higher ranking, and try and make it to the top tournaments in one or two years.

Photographs: Jewella Miranda

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