The Rediff Interview / Sunitha Rao

'I take my game very seriously; am a perfectionist'

Even as India is recovering from the Leander Paes-Mahesh Bhupathi split, it would not be wrong to ask: who after them?

Over the years, it has always the lone rangers who have kept our tennis tepid aspirations alive. The Amritraj brothers, Ramesh Krishnan and, more recently, the Paes-Bhupathi duo. Where women's tennis is concerned, there is even less to be said. It is in this dismal scenario that United States-based lass Sunitha Rao sparks just that glimmer of hope.

Playing in the recent ITF Futures event in Mumbai, the 16-year-old's fast-paced game was notches above that of the Indians on view. She had no trouble reaching the final. In fact, she made the grade without even dropping a set, though it must be said that the lack of high quality competition seemed to have slackened her game as she lost the final in straight sets to unseeded Chinese teenager Shuai Peng.

Sunitha took to the game when she was only four and was soon whipping girls older than her. Her father, Manohar Rao, immediately noticed the potential and has, ever since, backed his daughter all the way. The Florida-based girl is now a member of the US junior national team. She turned pro last September and sees wild card entries to the Grand Slam events and other major tournaments as her passport to the top league.

Dhiraj Shetty caught up with her while she was in Mumbai.

Excerpts from their conversation:

What made you participate in the ITF Futures event in Mumbai?

WTA [Women's Tennis Association] points and an opportunity to visit the land of my forefathers.

How was the competition?

The players were good; as good as anywhere else I have played.

When you are out on the court, you have a very serious demeanor, as if you are perpetually annoyed with something...

No, no. Nothing like that. It is just that I am very focused when I am on court. I am a very intense person and take my game very seriously. I only get annoyed with myself if I don't get my shots right or make mistakes, as I am a perfectionist.

Tell us about the high points in your career so far?

The first was playing doubles with John McEnroe, when I was 12, on Arthur Ashe Kids Day. The other was when I played my first pro tournament, when I was 14. Another was playing in my hometown, getting a wildcard into the main draw and beating a German girl, named Ance Barna, who was ranked 120 in the world at that time.

What are you doing to break into the top league in women's tennis?

I am playing in as many tournaments as possible, trying to improve my rankings and get into the qualifying rounds of the Grand Slam events and other major tournaments. I put in almost six hours of practice every day, play better opponents to improve my game and now even have my own coach, which is very necessary to break into the top level and stay there.

What has been your major achievement so far?

Reaching the quarter-finals of the junior Australian Open earlier this year.

Your most memorable victory?

Beating Angelique Widjaja on my way to the quarter-finals at the Australian Open Juniors. She had won the Wimbledon Juniors last year and was in the top 150 in the WTA rankings.

How do you celebrate your victories?

Nothing special. I'm usually just happy I won

How do you cope with losses?

I try to take them on a positive note and work on my shortcomings.

At 16, players like Martina Hingis and the Williams sisters were already knocking on the doors at the top level. Have you missed the bus?

No. For my age I am at the right level. The names you mentioned were very talented and hence were able to break into the top level early. But, not everyone can do that.

Describe a typical day at home…

I practice for three hours from seven in the morning. Then, after lunch and some rest, it is back to practice at one till four or to five in the evening. Then, it is time for my studies.

Who accompanies you on the tour when you are not with the US team?

My dad or my coach.

Is there any difference in your performance when you are on the tour on your own and when you are with the US junior team? No. I play well either way.

What is the role of your father in your life; in your career?

My father is very involved in my tennis and does everything he can to help me.

Does it help having your father while you are touring? Or would you have preferred a coach?

It doesn't really matter who travels with me, as long as I have one of them with me. However, my dad's seen my game longer than my coaches. So, his advice is always helpful.

There are cases of some parents pushing their children to make it big in the pro circuit. Sometimes, it works, while sometimes it does not. Would you like to comment?

I think almost everyone needs a parent that is really involved and a little pushy. If you look at all the top players, most of them had at least one parent who was like that. A few didn't but there aren't many of those. And I need that push, though my dad does not go overboard.

Does the fact that you don't have a sponsor affect you?

It does affect me, not really on the court though. But it would just be a lot easier on me and my family if the financial burden wasn't there as much. It's especially tough when I lose. But I can't think about it too much because it can get really negative and if I get negative then my tennis will suffer.

Who do you turn to when you are down?

I usually call my parents and talk to them almost every day when dad is not accompanying me, and I keep in touch with my younger brother by e-mail.

What does your brother think of your chosen profession?

He is very supportive. He is like a friend and we are very close, someone to talk to off the court. That helps a lot

What about your studies?

I am trying to finish high school through a correspondence course from the University of Nebraska.

Do you get time to keep up with your studies?

I manage.

How are your grades?

(Grinning widely) I get all 'A's.

What do you do apart from tennis?

Shuai Peng; I read and listen to music; mostly alternate music. Also, one of my favourites is Shakira.

Do you miss regular school, friends, boyfriends, studies and everything that goes with it?

I enjoy my tennis and don't really miss these things.

What about boyfriends? Or, is there any restriction on such matters?

I don't have time to have boyfriends. I barely have time for my closest friends.

Do you miss your home, since tennis would keep you out for a good part of the year?

I actually enjoy being on the tour. So, I really don't mind the traveling and staying in hotels. Besides, I enjoy going to all these new and different places, and I have been to quite a few. But for my tennis, would I be able to do that?

Which place had you asking for an encore?

Germany, where the courts were right next to a river. It was just wonderful. I also loved Italy. It is a beautiful place. Would love to go there again.

Which other game are you interested in besides tennis?

I really don't follow any game besides tennis.

Which player do you idolize?

Steffi Graf. She's just the best at everything! She has the best forehand, is the fittest and was mentally tough. To quote Kim Clijsters: She showed opponents she was tough. She would give them a look that said 'I'm going to beat you'. Of the current lot, I like Venus Williams, because, besides being a fantastic player, she has a great life outside of it too.

Does your game resemble her's?

No. I think my game most resembles that of Kim Cjisters and Jelena Dokic. I like them too and try to watch their matches.

There was not much of a crowd to watch your games in Mumbai. Do you like it that way or a full house?

I LOVE [emphasis] playing before a big crowd.

Some players on the circuit are more famous for their off-court activities than their tennis. Do such crowd favourites intimidate you?

Not at all. I can easily hold my own before any player and crowd.

Finally, any memorable moments in Mumbai?

Mumbai was very memorable to me in many ways, but mostly because it was my first time to India after a long gap. The support I got while playing was just amazing. It was a lot of fun off-court too. I tried out some food and loved some milk sweets that my dad brought.

Photographs: JEWELLA MIRANDA

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