Interview with Manisha Malhotra: "The Players don't want to run the sport. We just want to be consulted"

File Photo: Somdev Devvarman

37-year-old Manisha Malhotra is one of those rare breeds in Indian sport – a former player who is now involved in the administrative side of the sport. Malhotra represented India at the Sydney Olympics and was also won the silver medal at the Busan Asian Games, partnering Mahesh Bhupathi, peaking at no. 314 in the world in singles and no. 148 in doubles in 2002-2003. Manisha is now the CEO of Mittal Champions Trust, an initiative to develop world-class athletes in India that was born at the 2004 Olympic Games and is backed by Lakshmi Mittal. Manisha is also one of the founding members of the newly formed Indian Tennis Players Association, and we caught up with her for some quick views on the ITPA initiative.

What is the vision and the purpose behind the Indian Tennis Players Association?

There are Players Associations in all areas of Tennis like the ITF, ATP and WTA and their point is very simple – To make sure the sport is looking after the interests of the players and trying to give the players the best possible chance of success.

Are there any specific areas related to the game that the ITPA will not be involved in?

Well, the goal is to be part of the decision making in the sport and be allowed a platform to have a say. We would like to be involved in the development of the sport in the country.

The main problem in Indian tennis over the past year seems to be the lack of/ breakdown in communication between the AITA and the players? How will the ITPA help in this? What if the AITA does not recognise the ITPA?

Well, the AITA firstly needs to stop thinking of the players as rebels. Then if the ITPA becomes the point of contact, atleast most of the misunderstanding occurring on both sides will be mitigated.

There are several big names in Indian tennis who have joined the ITPA. Are there any hurdles that prevent you or some of the others from contesting the elections and becoming a part of the AITA?

I don’t think so. It would depend on the constitution of the AITA. I don’t think the players want to run the sport. We just want to be consulted and our opinion counted.

You also work with the Mittal Champions Trust. Is the trust looking to get more involved with Indian tennis as well? What are your thoughts on wrestling being dropped from the 2020 Olympics?

The Mittal Champions Trust has no plans to add Tennis. We have our hands full right now. Well, the wrestling decision was certainly shocking but I don’t believe it would be dropped in the end.

With Leander and Mahesh unlikely to play till 2016, do you think tennis could be a medal hope for India in the next Olympics?

No.

Finally, what do you think of the current lot of young Indian tennis players. What do you think we need to do as a nation to improve our standing in the sport?

Well, I think there is no one really impressive coming up at this point, which is the sad part of the whole thing. Plus there are fewer and fewer people playing Tennis in the country so we need to work together with all to correct that.