Big strides by tennis prodigy Hitesh

Anil Datt

Ludhiana, June 2

City tennis prodigy, Hitesh Chauhan has been making big strides as he made his presence felt in the international tournaments.

Hitesh (10), student of Class V at Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, has returned from Belgium where he secured silver medal in the Ten Pro Global Junior Tennis Tour that concluded on May 27. Around 160 upcoming tennis players from across the globe took part in the meet.

Hitesh overpowered all his opponents to storm into the final where he faced Flenn from the United Kingdom. He waged a spirited battle against his rival before going down 4-6, 3-6 to settle for silver.

A trainee of the Ace Tennis Academy at New Senior Secondary School, Sarabha Nagar, Hitesh joined coaching there five years ago under the guidance of coach, Vikramjeet Singh. Hitesh impressed the coach with his hard work and passion for the game.

Hitesh fetched his maiden title three years ago when he emerged victorious in the U-8 category in a district-level tournament organised by the Ace Academy. He then cornered glory in the U-12 section in the All-India Tennis Association Series Championships at Karnal, Jalandhar and Ludhiana, respectively.

Last year, Hitesh took part in the Ten Pro Global Junior Tennis Tour held in Spain and finished at fifth place. Hitesh also realised his dream there to meet his role model, world champion Rafael Nadal.

Hitesh follows a strenuous practice schedule, attending the courts in the morning and physical workout at a gym, followed by long running at the Punjab Agricultural University campus in the evening.

His coach, Vikramjeet said: “He is a hard worker and has all ingredients of becoming a star player. He has to improve his fitness, so that he can endure gruelling matches. Hitesh is also to overcome his anger which sometimes plays a negative role in his performance.”

Hitesh is practising hard for AITA Series Championship scheduled to be held this month in Guwahati and then the Ten Pro Global Junior Tour in the US next month.