Tennis

Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, the 22-year-old tennis prodigy from Hyderabad, has set her sights on the Australian Open next year. Having relinquished her national championship throne, Shrivalli is determined to ascend to the higher echelons of the sport.Shrivalli's journey to the top has been marked by consistent improvement and impressive performances on the international circuit. Her explosive game has propelled her to a career-best ranking of No. 318, a testament to her hard work and dedication.In March, Shrivalli reached the final of the $25,000 ITF event in Indore, showcasing her exceptional skills. She has since competed in tournaments across the globe, including the USA, Thailand, Korea, Chinese Taipei, and Australia, with encouraging results.Two consecutive quarterfinals in Perth, Australia, in $60,000 events have further boosted her ranking. Shrivalli's ability to compete at the highest level is evident in her close match against Madddson Inglis in Perth, where she led 5-2 in the third set before ultimately falling short."I am growing as a person and a player with all the experience," said Shrivalli. "I could have won the quarterfinal against Madddson Inglis in Perth, but it slipped away."Shrivalli's preparation for the Australian Open includes competing in two ITF events in Mysuru and Bengaluru. She will then travel to Australia for a series of tournaments to gain valuable experience and improve her ranking."The aim is to take the ranking close to 200 so that I get into the Australian Open qualifying event," said Shrivalli. "I enjoyed the conditions in Australia, though it was windy. The balls are heavy, as they play the same brand and quality as the Australian Open."As the top seed in the upcoming ITF events in Karnataka, Shrivalli is confident in her ability to perform well. She has been training in Delhi with coach Vishal Uppal, who has been instrumental in planning her tournaments and providing guidance.Shrivalli's free-flowing stroke play and powerful serve make her a delight to watch on the court. Her determination to succeed is evident in her willingness to relinquish her national championship title in pursuit of her ultimate goal: competing at the highest level of tennis.

Behind the Scenes: The Unsung Heroes of Tennis TournamentsIn the glamorous world of professional tennis, the spotlight often shines on the players, coaches, and sponsors. However, there's a group of individuals who play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of every tournament: the stringers.At major events like the BNP Paribas Open, the stringing room is a hub of activity. Led by Mitch Case, a PTR certified coach and USRSA Master Technician, a team of expert stringers work tirelessly to prepare racquets for the world's top players.The stringing room is a dedicated space equipped with 11 primary stringers and machines, a center area for racquet preparation, and a front desk for player interactions. The team consists of experienced stringers with Grand Slam and Masters 1000 experience.Case describes the atmosphere in the stringing room as "not very glamorous." Interactions with players are minimal, with most communication occurring through the front desk staff or team members. However, the stringers take pride in their work, knowing that a well-strung racquet can make a significant difference in a player's performance.The workload during a tournament is intense. During the early days, stringers handle over 300 racquets per day, with each stringer responsible for 30-40 racquets. The hours are long, with stringers arriving at 7-7:30 a.m. and often staying until the last match of the day.Stringers are assigned specific players to ensure consistency in technique and machine usage. However, there are exceptions, such as when a player needs an "on-court" stringing during a match.Case recalls a particularly stressful day when he had 14 racquets due at various times. He also mentions a player who requested the highest possible tension, resulting in a stringbed that moved when weaving crosses.Despite the challenges, Case finds the experience rewarding. He enjoys the camaraderie with his fellow stringers and the opportunity to collaborate with experts in the field. The challenge of stringing for the world's best players is also a source of motivation.