5th MAY 1922 - 26th AUGUST NARENDRANATH - TENNIS
Finally, it seems Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza has decided to revert to former coach S. Narendranath, with whom she feels comfortable and who has helped her as a junior following her Wimbledon success.
The decision of taking Narendranath on board incidentally comes exactly a year after she decided to take along a 'travelling coach.' While, John Farrington was roped in sometime during July last year, it was Aussie legend Tony Roach who helped her prepare for 2006 prior to the Australian Open.
The world No 40 will thus have Narendranath in tow as coach-cum-hitting partner apart from being a guide as she begins to tackle the gruelling hard court season, which has already begun in Cincinnati.
Narendranath, who runs his own academy — GVK Pro Tennis Academy — at Hyderabad, thus replaces former Davis Cupper Asif Ismail, who was roped in for a five-week stint which ended after Wimbledon. Ismail — who is part of the Hong Kong-based Peter Burwash Academy - it is learnt was committed to his academy, which could not match Sania's programme for the rest of 2006.
However, Narendranath was not sure of how long he would tour with Sania, but it seems that the agreement would be up to the US Open.
Having known Sania as a junior, Narendranath, speaking from Hyderabad to The Indian Express, confirmed the Mirzas' interest in him joining Sania.
"It just happened, I was asked and I said why not," informed Narendranath. While it is a known fact that Sania when in Hyderabad has always sought to practice with Narendranath, the coach informed that, after the French Open Sania "quite a few times," practiced with him at his academy.
Having been around Sania since a junior, Narendranath — who is well attuned to Sania's game and her mindset — is observed by tennis experts as a good sign. For it would be Narendranath's experience as a coach, which includes being part of the Indian juniors, coupled with his mental match-up with Sania that could help boost Sania's sagging confidence.
Resorting to sports
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Leonia Resorts could soon transform into a hub of various sports in Hyderabad
In a clear departure from the regular leisure activities that resorts organise, Leonia Resorts at Shamirpet is set to become a major hub of tennis activity in the city. This is because the top brass of Phoenix, its front organisation, is already in touch with the famous Sanchez-Casal Tennis Academy in Barcelona to have a long-term exchange programme in tennis and related activities.
Reason? This air-conditioned indoor venue happens to be the first of its kind in India with four full-fledged courts and taraflex flooring already in place. “We have decided to be more player and parents-friendly. The amount of expenditure they have to bear even to participate in events over the years are high, as the venues are usually in one place and the accommodation is at another. Here at Leonia, it is all-in-one, thus cutting down on costs drastically; we have about 150 rooms available,” says Bharat Varma, Managing Partner, Phoenix.
In its first major move, the venue will host the Asian under-14 tennis championship to be held from August 2.
“Earlier, the top brass of Sanchez Academy was keen to have one of their branches in Singapore. But, with that idea dropped, when we contacted them, they showed interest; we hope to have a long-term accord with them related to tennis activity,” says Bharat even as sports consultant and tennis coach D. R. C. Kiron engages the young talent in a training session.
Former Davis Cupper S. Narendranath is excited on having a first look at the venue. “This looks really good; it’s weather proof and can easily host many international events,” he opines, with a glance at the spectators gallery too.
This forms part of Phoenix’s bigger plans for sports. Leonia resorts would soon boast of an international standard 1.2 km karting track which would enable Phoenix to host a National championship and also Corporate championships.
“A cricket stadium meeting all specifications is nearing completion at the Leonia and we hope to usher in a sports culture. The bigger plans include setting up full-fledged Academies in some of the major disciplines including cricket, badminton,” concludes Bharat.
September 6, 2006 Sania goes shoppingIndian tennis sensation Sania Mirza shops in Manhattan along with her father Imran Mirza (centre) and coach Narendranath.Sania lost her final event in the US Open on Monday when she and South African partner Liezel Huber lost their third round match in the women's doubles event.Photographs: Jay Mandal
It’s not about being Sania, it’s about playing tennis |
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