theInder.net Sports-Editor and IndianFootball.Com Editor-in-Chief Chris Punnakkattu Daniel met Indian tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi during the Gerry Weber Open 2005 in Halle, Germany and got a chance to interview him about the ongoing tournament and Indian tennis.
The interview was held at the Gerry Weber Sportpark Hotel.
Bhupathi (30) has already won 37 ATP tournaments and claimed the Grand Slam titles at Paris, Wimbledon and at the US Open.
Excerpts from the interview:
Chris: Mahesh, you're back again in Halle to participate in the Gerry Weber Open 2005 tournament. Which memories do you have, while looking back to the past tournament and what's so special about this tournament?
Mahesh Bhupathi: The tournament is a good preparation for Wimbledon, because we have a lot of practise courts and two courts under the roof. A lot of players like to come here, because rain or not we will get to play a lot on grass. I think the tournament is great, because they look after the players really well, there are great facilities and it's very convenient, that our hotel is next to the tennis court. It's definitely one of the better tournaments we have in Europe.
Chris: You've paired up with Australia's Todd Woodbridge to compete in the doubles competition and you played together at the French Open, while using this tournament as a preparation for Wimbledon. What are your expectations for Wimbledon?
Mahesh Bhupathi: Well, obviously when we play we try to win the tournament. We'll try to get our preparation this week and in Nottingham and hopefully play our best tennis when Wimbledon comes.
Chris: You won the Round 1 match against Knowle/Melzer here at Halle, although facing some difficulties in the early first and second set. Any idea, why you had such problems to get into the match?
Mahesh Bhupathi: We won the match 6:3, 6:4 and we had few early problems on my serve, as it was our first match on grass. You don't win any matches too easily nowadays and you'll have problems in each match. But if you deal with it, you gonna win.
Chris: The semi-final draw has given you a quite though opponent in Yves Allegro/Roger Federer. Have you ever played against this duo before and are you having special preparations due to the long break between the matches?
Mahesh Bhupathi: I played against them a few times and also won most matches. The practise will be same as usual.
Chris: Let's turn the focus to Indian tennis in general. Many Indians and tennis fans living in Europe have little knowledge of Indian tennis. Could you give us your views and thoughts on the current situation? And which improvements or changes must be taken, to produce more international standard players?
Mahesh Bhupathi: The mentality we have in India is not very sporting. If you're asking for a solution to produce more international players, I must say that I don't think there is one. Most Indians go into education. Their parents just push them into education like parents in Australia push them into sports.
We have the best scientists, the best doctors, the best IT-engineers in the world, because we're number one in education.
Once in a year we have some good athletes, sometimes tennis players like Sania Mirza. You will have maybe one man or one girl coming to the ranks every ten years. I don't think good players will be coming out in India every year, like in Germany, Spain or Argentina, because education is our first focus.
Chris: You mentioned teenage-sensation Sania Mirza. You and your company 'Globosport' are working closely with the young Hyderabadi girl. Could you tell us more about it?
Mahesh Bhupathi: We do all her branding, endorsements, PR, etc. Further I give her some advice on coaching, who she should travel with and stuff like that.
She has done well in the last year and hopefully she will be in the 'Top 50' by the end of the year.
Chris: So let us now have a look forward to the Davis Cup. India will face Sweden in the final qualifying round at home. How do you rate India's chances to advance to the world group?
Mahesh Bhupathi: Sweden is very though. We're playing on grass and the Swedes are very good on grass with players like Thomas Johansson, Joachim Johansson, Jonas Björkman. We're just happy that we are playing at home, as we had away matches in our world group ties for the last four years. So it was though for us, but this year we are playing at home. Obviously we are the underdogs, but strange things happen in Davis Cup!
Chris: Finally I would like to give you a chance to send out a message to all Indian tennis fans in Europe and back home!
Mahesh Bhupathi: Thanks for the support! Every time we play in Europe, various people come out to watch like in the 1st Round here in Halle. It's a nice feeling to have Indians supporting you!
Chris: Thanks for taking some time to share your thoughts on the Gerry Weber Open and Indian tennis with us. Wishing you all the best for the upcoming matches!
