'Tennis just happened to me'

With cricket taking a backseat after the IPL, tennis is now gaining ground amongst Indian spectators.

   Tennis tournaments such as the ‘International Tennis Federation Pro Circuit’ have given upcoming talent the platform to display their skills to the world.

 Metrolife finds out more about the rising tennis player, J Vishnu Vardhan and his life off-court.

Vishnu reminisces about the last time he was in Bangalore,10 years ago.
  “I like the weather and the food,” he says, admitting that he is a big foodie. “Despite my dietician’s advice, once a week, I go all out,” he confesses coyly. Besides tennis and food, he likes watching Bollywood movies and has recently taken interest in reading spiritual books.

“My current favourite is ‘The Power of Now’ by Eckhart Tolle,” he says.
When he’s not travelling with tournaments, Vishnudescribes his simple life with his parents at home.

“One thing that not many people know about me is that I’m quite shy. I like to keep things to myself,” he says.

He spends time with his family eating home-cooked meals, watching movies and going to the temple.

Vishnu also picked up the harmonica while on a four-month break from playing. While talking about animals, he shakes his head.

“I don’t have any pets at the moment but I might get one when I stop living out of my suitcase,” he chuckles.

He recalls his unexpected tryst with tennis. “Tennis just happened,” he shrugs.
He nostalgically narrates how his parents tried to get him involved in various non-academic activities such as cricket, basketball, singing and dancing before he
joined tennis classes with a friend.

“Now I will play till I can stand on the court,” he says. When asked what his goal was before he stumbled upon his calling, Vishnu laughs, “I’d probably be working nine to five somewhere. Perhaps I’d be an engineer.”

He also confesses to facing severe nerves before any match, so much so that he had to take a break from playing for the same reason. “Every match felt like I was playing tennis for the first time,” he says.

Now, however, he has been able to embrace the jitters and says contentedly, “Stepping on to the court — it’s a lovely feeling!” He then talks about his tennis idols.

“Somdev is my biggest inspiration. I love the way he carries himself, both on-court and off-court.”

He also looks up to Leander Paes and Mahesh
Bhupathi. Realising the he himself is an idol to many, Vishnu ends with a few words of wisdom for aspiring tennis players all over the country, “Tennis requires a persistent approach, give it some time.”

Later, he adds, “You have to be extremely patient with the game if you want to
succeed.”