'I can handle pressure'

It has been a busy day for Vishnu Vardhan ever since he got the All India Tennis Association call to partner Leander Paes for the London Olympics.

A jubilant Vishnu called it an emotional moment for him and insisted he had it in him to deliver on the big stage.

“For an athlete it is the biggest moment to play in Olympics. I was hoping to get selected. I am at Vishakapatnam with my parents, training partner and coaches, it is such an emotional moment for all of us,” Vardhan told Deccan Herald.

“I am confident I can do well. It is not the first time I am playing for the country. I played with Sania in the Asian games, where we were unseeded and won the silver. I got to be a part of the Davis Cup as well. I am aware about the pressure.”

The Andhra boy is excited to play alongside Paes. 

“I remember I lost to Ivan Dodig after having five match points and Leander stayed up throughout the match. That night I got a call from him asking whether I would like to hit with him the next morning.

It turned out to be a training session as he pointed out my mistakes. Since then we have been in touch and I’ve enjoyed a great personal relationship,” Vishnu, 24, said.