Indian tennis has many juniors striving arduous to make a mark and forge their path in the direction of turning into professionals.
While there isn’t any dearth of effort from most, some stand out to the discerning eye, like Tavish Pahwa, who wound up 2024 because the nation’s No. 1 in each the under-16 and under-14 sections.
The greatest analysis of such a expertise is finished by a coach of appreciable calibre, like Australian Todd Clark, who has been related to Indian tennis for about 15 years.
Having labored with Tavish for about a yr and a half, he believes the 15-year-old will quickly be “a name to watch” on the worldwide stage.
“Athletically gifted, Tavish has excellent movement, speed and agility on the court. His ability to cover all areas of the court, paired with a sharp tactical mind, sets him apart from his peers,” Todd defined.
“He reads the game exceptionally well, often anticipating his opponent’s moves and devising effective strategies to counter them. His composure and court awareness are rare qualities for someone of his age.”
Further analysing the teenager, Todd spoke extremely about his technical and psychological capabilities.
“Tavish’s game is built on strong fundamentals. While all aspects of his game are clean, focused work is ongoing to refine his serve and return to turn them into defining weapons,” he stated.
Tavish is a fierce competitor and enjoys being within the thick of battle, towards high quality opponents who push him arduous to deliver out his greatest.
“There has been a marked improvement in his emotional control and discipline, on and off the court. With continued exposure to high-level competition, his ability to make sound decisions under pressure will only improve,” Todd stated.
The coach is understandably proud that Tavish has been ready to again his case by ending the yr as No. 1 in each under-14 and under-16 in 2024.
“Apart from finishing last year as No. 1 in the country in both under-14 and under-16, Tavish also won the National under-16 title. He secured his first ITF singles title in Colombo. These milestones mark Tavish as one of the country’s most promising young talents,” he stated.
Tavish, who has slipped to No. 3 within the nation within the under-16 rankings, just lately gained all his matches towards the Top 5 seeds within the choice trials for the Junior Davis Cup workforce.
Rather than attempting to play extra tournaments and keep as No. 1, Tavish and his household determined to go to Europe in March to examine out 5 of the world’s greatest tennis centres, together with Rafael Nadal Academy in Spain, Patrik Mourtoglou centre in France, and the Piatti Centre in Italy.
Todd believes that Tavish wants to set himself up in Europe to acquire the required publicity at any time when he enters the skilled grind.
European pit cease
“Like many of India’s top talents before him, Tavish must look beyond domestic borders. Training in Europe would provide the intensive, high-level environment essential for his growth,” Todd pointed out.
“Players like Sumit Nagal, Sasikumar Mukund and Manas Dhamne have all benefited from similar pathways. Recently, Maaya Rajeshwaran made the move to Rafael Nadal Academy to further her development.”
Tavish received a style of Europe final yr as a part of the Asian under-14 workforce, an expertise Todd believes gave him “a valuable benchmark” for assessing his present stage and figuring out areas that want refinement.
Tavish’s dad and mom Seema and Gaurav, who’ve been diligently shaping the boy’s profession, are grateful for the well timed help, particularly from the Shiv Nadar School in Faridabad, the place he’s enrolled.
Strong help system
“The support of Tavish’s school has been a game-changer. The school has stood by him as a pillar of strength, helping Tavish to pursue his sporting goals without compromising on his academics. We are also deeply grateful to Shiv Nadar Foundation and HCL Tech for their generous financial support that has helped his career in so many different ways, including the visit to Europe to find a suitable academy,” stated Seema.
The mom was joyful that Tavish may go to 5 of the most effective teaching centres in Europe, with appointments facilitated by the IMG, the main sports activities administration firm.
“Coaches at these academies expressed keen interest in working with Tavish and indicated the possibility of offering scholarships,” stated Seema.
Expensive affair
While Tavish is preparing to characterize the nation within the Junior Davis Cup Asia-Oceania occasion in Kazakhstan, other than representing Haryana within the Khelo India Games, the household is working arduous to collect the monetary help to meet the bills of retaining him in one of many prestigious academies in Europe.
“There is no dearth of talent in India. However, one of the biggest challenges remains funding. The high cost of international travel, coaching, and equipment often limits opportunities for young athletes.
“Without adequate financial support, even the most talented prospects face significant hurdles in reaching their potential,” confused Todd.
Tavish’s purpose is to be within the high 100 of the world junior rankings by subsequent yr and get into the junior Grand Slams.
Published – May 02, 2025 12:26 am IST
