Jeevan targets getting back to Grand Slams by Wimbledon 2023

Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Sriram Balaji are not in any hurry to get back to the highest level.

Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan won back-to-back titles with Sriram Balaji on European clay last fortnight. - SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan is understandably upbeat after winning back-to-back Challenger titles on European clay last fortnight with Sriram Balaji. Yet, he has set a realistic target of getting back to the Grand Slams by Wimbledon next year.

In the national capital on a stopover en route to Colombia for two more Challengers, Jeevan was pleased to put things in perspective.

“We didn’t have any expectations. We are putting in the work. Water your plant, and see what happens,” said Jeevan, quite clear about not being anxious for good results.

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The preparation for the Challenger titles was two weeks of television commentary from the studio in Mumbai for the Roland Garros, especially in Tamil. “It was not a vacation. I had good training during those 14 days, with Navdeep (Singh), Vishnu (Vardhan). I had done public speaking course even in College, and also one on the ATP, so I enjoyed the commentary. Somdev (Devvarman) was in a different level. He is so well prepared and very professional,” said Jeevan.

Bonding with Balaji

He is delighted with the bonding with Balaji, and recalled the pleasant experience of having Indian dinner every day for a week in France, on way to the second Challenger title, as the hotel they stayed in was owned by an Indian.

‘Trust is very crucial in doubles. Me and Balaji have mutual respect. We are not in any hurry to get back to the highest level.’

“Trust is very crucial in doubles. Me and Balaji have mutual respect. We are not in any hurry to get back to the highest level. We want to do the work. We know that we can go deep, as and when we get to the Grand Slams. With some of the players enjoying 50 percent of the points earned in 2019 till the end of this year, the real ranking will take some more time to emerge. We may not get to play the Australian Open or the French. Wimbledon could be a good chance,” said Jeevan, who has competed in all the four Grand Slams, and three years in a row in Wimbledon.

He was grateful for the pillars of strength in his career, mother Kalyani and sister Swapna, who watch his matches online, stay in touch with him, and boost his morale.

Jeevan did win the ATP Tour doubles title with Rohan Bopanna, and looks forward to the ATP Tour after the Challengers in July in Spain. If they sustain the good work, Jeevan and Balaji would soon find themselves in the top-100 of world rankings, and plot their way into the higher echelons of the game.