Sameer Banerjee is junior Wimbledon champion: ‘Felt my roots at present’

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The name got here as quickly because the ball bounced. It was outdoors. He instantly dropped his racket and raised his fingers over his head, a grinning smile on his face. Then, his uncle within the gamers’ compartment, the 17-year-old screamed in disbelief, however phrases have been drowned out by the packed crowd inside Court 1.

Samir Banerjee lately grew to become the brand new Junior Boys Wimbledon Champion.

“I was saying ‘Are you kidding me’. I said it three or four times. I couldn’t believe it. I was in shock, and then that shock turned into joy, and then I get excited Gone. It made me very happy,” he added Indian Express.

Banerjee is an American participant of Indian origin – her father is from Assam and mom is from Andhra Pradesh – and has attracted the eye of followers from two nations. But if he wasn’t very conscious of his roots earlier than, he “definitely felt it today” throughout his 7-5, 6-3 victory over fellow American Viktor Lilov.

“Just looking at the crowd, there were a lot of Indians there, supporting me a lot. I really appreciated it. Some were shouting loudly and some were asking me for photos later. I am clearly not from India, I am American. But having Indian relatives and parents, it makes me appreciate the culture and everything that goes with it,” he mentioned.

Incidentally, 4 Indian gamers have gained Junior Grand Slam titles: Yuki Bhambri (2009 Australian Open), Leander Paes (Wimbledon 1990 and US Open 1991), Ramesh Krishnan (French Open and Wimbledon 1979) and Ramanathan Krishnan (Wimbledon 1954).

For Banerjee, a New Jersey native, it was her second junior Grand Slam look – her first at this 12 months’s French Open, having suffered an opening-round defeat in London.

“I was wondering if I could compete at the Grand Slam level because this is where the best players in the world are. I just wanted to get my foot in the door and win a round. Then I won another And I started building up my confidence. I had more confidence in my game. And then I found myself in the final and I played my best tennis today,” Banerjee mentioned.

However, Sunday got here with its share of nerves. He remembers waking up sooner than regular and sustaining the anxiousness till the third recreation. This was his second service recreation and it lasted for 16 factors earlier than the service was stopped. “I feel we have been each nervous at first, we have been simply attempting to get a really feel. But that recreation helped me loosen up and benefit from the chance.”

Then, Banerjee held on to the title – crucial service recreation ever of her life. “It feels incredible and it hasn’t sunk in yet. It’s crazy to think I’ve achieved that,” he mentioned.

The 6-foot-2 teen tends to hit the online to complete factors early, and that is why the grass courtroom fits his model of play. But on the identical time, his strategy is measured and efficient.

On Sunday, he gained 17 of his 19 strategy photographs. “He has very good and quick hands, and impressive touch-play,” mentioned India Davis Cup participant N Sriram Balaji, who skilled with Banerjee in Germany final month.

“He likes to get into the nets, which could be very uncommon for younger gamers who like to remain on the baseline. But he has the mentality to again himself up on the nets and that makes a number of distinction. Also, on the grass Volleying is essential,” mentioned Balaji.

This time Banerjee additionally got here with a greater forehand. “His backhand is a weapon but he was neutral on the forehand. The coach worked with him and he learned how and when to pull the trigger,” Balaji mentioned.

With a Junior Grand Slam title underneath her belt, Banerjee’s path to the skilled stream is evident. But with Columbia University coming subsequent 12 months, he is nonetheless contemplating his resolution to enter the US faculty tennis stream.

“I’ve to re-evaluate my choices. I’m enjoying properly and it is a actually good transfer. I’m going to play extra skilled tournaments to see the place I stand, however faculty is unquestionably within the image proper now. I feel it will be an excellent transfer for me, however it’s a good transfer for the professional root. I must resolve later as a result of I’ve another 12 months to go earlier than I can go to school,” he mentioned.

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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS

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