‘Hopeful of breaking into top 100’

Fresh off a singles title win at Ho Chi Minh City – he also made the doubles final along with Sanam Singh – and having reached the semi-finals of the ATP Challenger here, things are looking sunny for Myneni.

Saketh Myneni won his first ATP Challenger title in October earlier this year.

Four years into the tour and Saketh Myneni at 123 is India’s No. 2 tennis player after Yuki Bhambri.

Fresh off a singles title win at Ho Chi Minh City – he also made the doubles final along with Sanam Singh – and having reached the semi-finals of the ATP Challenger here, things are looking sunny for Myneni.

Speaking to the media after his quarterfinal win, Myneni said the immediate target was to get his body fitter and stronger for the rigours of playing on the tour with the ultimate target being to break into the top 100, play on the ATP Tour proper and also the Grand Slams.

“Top 100 is a very good target. If I keep playing well and stay injury free I am hopeful of breaking that barrier. Last season was good in that I made my Wimbledon and US Open debuts in the qualifiers. The immediate target is now the Aussie open qualifiers,” said the Visakhapatnam native.

“It has been a very physically tough season. I have to thank the physio Yash Pandey, who has done a fantastic job with me. He worked with us during the Davis Cup too and he knows my body.

“This is the longest I have played continuously in a season. Earlier I used to play only two to three months, this season it has been eight months now,” added Myneni.

“Hopefully I will get a good off-season, work on my body. Improve it. Need to work on the physical part to take the workload,” he said.

“And yes, spend time with my folks. I have been on the road right through, so a good few days at home should help me get recharged for next year,” added Myneni.