It has been a bag of combined emotions for Sasikumar Mukund, to be ranked No.1 within the nation on the finish of a tough season.
The 25-year-old Mukund has been ranked 343, forward of Prajnesh Gunneswaran (351), Ramkumar Ramanathan (438) and Sumit Nagal (507).
When others are resting or competing within the enjoyable leagues in Delhi and Pune, Mukund has been competing and coaching in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, to be match sharp for the season opener, the ATP Tour occasion in
Pune.
“It is not a great feeling to be No.1 when the others have been injured and I have not beaten any of their career-best rank. Nevertheless, regardless of the circumstances, it is a very big honour to be No.1 in the country, and a great feeling for me, my family and friends. I don’t want to take anything for granted”, mentioned Mukund, when contacted in Egypt. He was ranked a career-best 229 in October 2019 earlier than the pandemic
turned the world topsy turvy.
“It is the extent of recreation that brings somebody to top-200. I’m working to be wholesome, match and placing issues collectively. I hope to get the a lot wanted breakthrough within the Challenger circuit, and have some good
moments in Pune ATP”, he mentioned.
Mukund felt that he might have deliberate the 2022 season higher.
“I should not have played the tournaments in high altitude and on clay in South America. It put a big dent on my confidence in the first six months. Should have played hard court, even if it were the ITF events. Lost a lot of time”, noticed Mukund.
He was trustworthy to say that he was lacking his teammates and buddies within the league occasions, however needed to stretch his season to be higher ready.
“Had lost a lot of time by being sick, and being mentally up and down. Thus, I could not afford to play the leagues and have a good time. I absolutely love the team atmosphere. It would have been a wonderful experience. I look forward to play them next year”, he mentioned.
Mukund was all reward for Rohan Bopanna’s doubles camp in Dubai for a fortnight within the run-up to the Pune ATP occasion.
“One of my friends has got into the camp. Rohan is charging a very affordable price for the camp. It is a phenomenal exercise. Only a person of his magnitude can pull it off. Without being selfish, Rohan is doing so much, not just this time, but over the years. We all know how much he cares for us and Indian tennis. He has done a lot for which he does not claim any credit”, noticed Mukund.