Exclusive: Former India Davis Cupper Nitin Kirtane on India's tennis medal hopes at the Olympics, on Alcaraz v Sinner and the seniors tennis circuit
Nitin Kirtane has been a stalwart on the Indian tennis scene for many decades now. From partnering Mahesh Bhupathi at Wimbledon in 1992, where they finished runners-up, to winning the National Games in 2002, to claiming a historic silver medal as part of the ITF World Championships in the 50+ category, Kirtane has been on the circuit for three-and-a-half decades.
Now aged 50, Kirtane isn't showing any signs of slowing down and continues to win laurels for himself and India on the ITF Masters Circuit (the seniors tennis tour) besides being involved in coaching. We caught up with the 2019 Dhyan Chand Award winner and spoke to him on a wide range of topics, including the ITF Masters Circuit, India's hopes of a tennis medal at the Paris Olympics, India's chances in the Davis Cup later this year, and his current favourite players to watch in the game.
Exclusive Interview with Nitin Kirtane
Sportskeeda: You were part of the Indian team that recently won the silver at the ITF World Championships in the 50+ category. You also won a mixed doubles silver and a men’s doubles bronze medal. Can you tell us about that experience and what this means for you and the Indian team?
Nitin Kirtane: This was a historic event, which I was happy to be a part of. It was an extremely tough tour when we went for the ITF World Masters Tennis Championship held in Mexico. We played in the toughest conditions: high altitude, lots of wind. The team clicked very well in tough, trying conditions. We were happy to come out on top because, when we went, we had no expectations.
Me, Ajit Sahil, Jagdish Tanwar. We had Hathinder Panwar as the fourth member of the team. All of us played like a unit. We gelled together very well. The competition at the world level is fierce. Extremely tough teams. We beat the top seed France in the group stage, then went on to beat Great Britain. Unfortunately, we lost a very close match to Italy in the finals. Overall, (it was) a great performance from the team and I was very happy to be a part of it.
Sportskeeda: There has been a growing interest in the seniors tennis circuit in India, as seen by the number of ITF Masters Tennis events held in the country. What is your view on this, and do you think there is scope to do more in this area?
Nitin Kirtane: The ITF Masters Tennis Circuit is on the rise in India, not just in India but all over the world. It's a very, very competitive circuit. Some people think that it's just a casual veteran's circuit, but they're very wrong. It's a very, very competitive circuit. Players want to represent the country and do well. In spite of having very few incentives on this circuit, we have more and more players coming out and playing. I mean, if you just see the World Championship, you'll see all levels are getting tougher.
It's great to see the rise of Masters Tennis in India. We must thank the All India Tennis Association (AITA) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF). The AITA is doing a fabulous job. One aspect I feel both ITF and AITA can take to an even better level is perhaps provide accommodation or hospitality to players.
Sportskeeda: How difficult is it for players to travel and fund themselves while playing ITF Masters Tennis tournaments given that they have no prize money. What would you like to be seen done by the AITA and other private/ public organizations in this area?
Nitin Kirtane: Yes, that's the toughest part of this circuit. There is no prize money, no hospitality, no accommodation provided by the local organizers. To be fair, the ITF has made this clear, we know the rules, there will be no prize money, no hospitality and no accommodation. The players who are participating in this circuit like you and me, we do it for the love of the game. But we are trying to request the Central Government and the Sports Ministry to understand the value of not just Masters Tennis circuit but Masters sports overall and recognize the efforts of all these players.
The Central Government has done a fabulous job by getting the Para Olympians under the same incentive schemes as the men's and the women's athletes, so why not the Masters circuit. It's high time people realize that this is a very competitive circuit, we are giving our life out there. The approximately 17-18 days that I spent in Mexico was one of the toughest I have ever faced, the pressure is different, we are on our own, we do everything on our own, we are self-sponsored, that adds up to the pressure, so why not get some aid from the Central Government, get them to sponsor the teams.
I would like to request the Central Government, the Sports Authority of India, the AITA, all of them to take concrete steps, looking into the interest of the game and take the game forward. I am hoping that things change soon for the benefit of the game. Look at the senior PGA Tour. I always talk about golf to my friends. Golf has taken the game to the next level, even the senior golf tour has a lot of prize money.
Look at the BCCI, where they have taken cricket. They have made the players demigods. Other sports have to take the lead. Tennis is a very popular sport in India and I'm hoping there is a change in this aspect soon.
Sportskeeda: Not many professional players continue to compete on the ITF Masters Tennis circuit post their retirement. What motivates you to continue competing after all these years?
Nitin Kirtane: That's a good question. We feel that a lot of the top pros have stopped playing on the circuit but you'll be amazed when you see these players coming out for the World Championships.
They represent the country. They have the same zest and fervor as they used to have in their playing days. They still want to win medals for the country.
Sportskeeda: What is your take on the current crop of Indian tennis players on the professional level? And the tennis ecosystem in India?
Nitin Kirtane: We have a good crop of young players in India, who are doing well and trying to break out on the circuit, travelling all over the world and doing their best. But my take on this is that you have to slightly slow down and this is where the parents should take the lead. The parents expect everything to happen so fast. I have been playing professional tennis for 35-36 years, started at the age of 15, it's a grind. Tennis is one of the toughest sports ever. All sports are competitive but I would rate tennis as one of the hardest. It's a physical game, it's a mental game, you tend to get injured often, you lose lot of months in injury, you have to come back even harder because everybody else is working just as hard when you were injured.
Tennis is still a very popular sport in India, lot of parents are encouraging their kids to play tennis. You have the option of going to play college tennis in the U.S., you have the option of going pro and travel all over the world, get a good base in Europe. It's a popular sport but I want to emphasize that the associations and the Sports Ministry should take some more proactive steps.
The Sports Ministry and the Central Government have started the Khelo India Games. It's a superb initiative and it's benefiting lot of players with good scholarships, more and more such steps have to be taken for the youth.
Sportskeeda: India will be represented at the Olympics by Rohan Bopanna and Sriram Balaji in doubles and by Sumit Nagal in singles. What do you think of their chances, especially for a medal in doubles?
Nitin Kirtane: It's a dream for any player to qualify for the Olympics. Rohan Bopanna, being a top four player, was always in the Paris qualifying list. He has chosen Sriram Balaji as his partner. Balaji is in good form and I'm looking forward to them doing well in the doubles event. A lot of top teams are going to be playing in the Olympics. I think Rafael Nadal is also playing with Carlos Alcaraz. Qualifying for the Olympics is a great achievement. Hopefully Rohan and Balaji can do well. A lot depends on the draw and who all are participating.
I'm very happy because Rohan Bopanna has been a very close friend. We practiced when he was based in Pune for almost 8 to 9 years. Even happy for Balaji and Sumit Nagal. It's a dream to make it to the Olympics and looking forward to them doing well there.
Sportskeeda: India will take on Sweden in the Davis Cup World Group I tie in Stockholm in September. What are your thoughts of India pulling off an upset in that tie?
Nitin Kirtane: In the Davis Cup, we have a tricky tie. It's always tough to play European teams outside because they'll be playing on the clay or hard probably. Sumit Nagal is playing great on clay so the Swedes might opt for hardcourts. They have the Ymer brothers and some good doubles players. Sweden over the years has always been a good team. It'll be a tough contest. You never know what can happen in Davis Cup. Day 1 is very important to get off to a good start. I'm looking forward to the team performing well against Sweden.
Sportskeeda: What are your thoughts about coaching younger players or perhaps getting into the administrative side of tennis?
Nitin Kirtane: I'm already into coaching for many, many years. We have a small group of young players.They are playing at a good level. I emphasize a lot on technique and a lot on match play. What we were taught in our younger days, it's now our duty to pass it on the next generation. I'm hoping that some of our players do well on the national and international circuit and more importantly, become good tennis players. Winning or losing is not everything because tennis teaches you so many things. It teaches you morality, it teaches you behavior on the court. It teaches you to be a good student and the game helps you in other aspects also.
This is almost my 36th year on tour. I don't know how time flew. I still remember a lot of my junior days traveling. I'm also looking forward to helping my sons, Arjun and Aryan, who also play. I'm helping them a lot as well.
Sportskeeda: Who are among your favourite players to watch from today's generation of international players and what aspects of their game do you enjoy most?
Nitin Kirtane: Among the current players, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have taken the game to another level. It's just so nice to see their aggressive intent. Both have great coaches. Sinner has Darren Cahill while Alcaraz has Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Both have great teams. They have great support. Both have been playing unbelievably for the past few years and are already Grand Slam winners and world No. 1.
From the Big 3, Novak Djokovic is still a force. I mean, he just had a knee surgery, but you never can rule him out at Wimbledon. And he'll still be the favorite there, of course, because grass offers a lot of uneven and tricky bounce. But Sinner, Alcaraz are playing great tennis. We have many more other youngsters trying to break in the ranks and I feel tennis is in safe hands.
But these two guys are the future. They already are dominating tennis. Alcaraz has just got the French Open. Sinner won the Australian Open. My bet is that the only guy who might trouble them at Wimbledon is Novak Djokovic. But, again, at the US Open or the Paris Olympics, it's going to be Alcaraz and Sinner dominating.
Sportskeeda: What does Nitin Kirtane enjoy doing the most when he is off the courts?
Nitin Kirtane: When I'm off the court, I like to spend time with my boys, Arjun and Aryan, and try to guide them and talk to them about tennis. Not too much as well because I don't want to put too much pressure on them. They need to enjoy the game and I'm looking forward to them doing well. Other than that, I'm a big sports fan. I like basketball. I like football. I watch a lot of the NBA. I like the EPL and am now looking forward to the Paris Olympics. I've always followed the Olympics for many, many years.
I'm a sports buff. I follow, I read and watch a lot of sports. So mostly you'll find me in my free time, either I'm watching sports or just following and reading some sports news.
Sportskeeda: Finally, tell us three things that our readers would be surprised to know about Nitin Kirtane.
Nitin Kirtane: I am a very aggressive player on court. So a lot of times, people think that I am also aggressive off the court. But you will be surprised. I do not carry this aggression off the court. It's restricted to on the court, where my opponents are not friends.
I also try to do be aggressive in practice as well. When we are playing practice sets, a lot of times I play with Arjun and Aryan. I am very aggressive because I want them to learn.
I want them to learn this game is not for the light-hearted. I follow the etiquettes, no bad language, no racket throwing incidents on the court. I always sort of see to it that the behavior on the court is good. But off the court, I am very, very chilled out.