Ram biggest disappointment: Coach
Palembang, Aug. 26: The Indian tennis contingent won three medals instead of the projected five but that happened due to R a m k u m a r Ramanathan’s disappointing performance in singles and the unexpected absence of stalwart Leander Paes, said coach Zeeshan
Ali.
“The target was a medal in all five events. Ram was a big disappointment in singles. Expected a lot from the second seed, he had been playing good tennis over the last six months. Disappointed that he played a wrong tactical match, doing things that he was not comfortable doing ( serve and volley). There was medal a prospect said.
India won five medals including a mixed doubles gold at Incheon four years ago. At the Jakabaring Tennis Center, medals came from men’s doubles, men’s singles and women’s singles. The captain and coach said India should have won two men’s singles medals and one in mixed doubles. “It was a very creditable performance from Prajnesh to win a medal but he was the fourth seed. Similarly, Ram too was expected to reach the semifinals,” said Ali.
It was still a pretty decent effort, considering Paes had pulled- out last minute as he was unhappy with the team selection. That left Ali with very little time to decide one men’s doubles combination and the two mixed doubles pairings. The mixed pairing of Ankita Raina and Rohan Bopanna, and Karman Kaur Thandi and Divij right there,” Ali Sharan was formed after just one ‘ try- out’ session
“To say that we didn’t ( miss Paes) would be incorrect. I had to work men’s doubles and mixed doubles combination in no time, especially mixed. With Leander’s experience, things could have been different in mixed and men’s doubles,” said Ali.
Sania, who is expecting, had won a mixed doubles gold and women’s doubles silver four years ago. “It was pretty good considering the last minute pull- out, not having our number one men’s singles player ( Yuki Bhambri), number one women’s doubles player ( Sania Mirza) and Leander not coming. With the team that we had, we did okay.”
Asked to pick the positives from the Games’ campaign, Ali picked Raina’s bronze winning effort in singles and the doubles gold from Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan.