Raising his arms, 24-year-old Manav Thakkar swirled his desk tennis racquet on the Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, sending the spectators right into a frenzy.
Thakkar had simply turn out to be the primary Indian to succeed in the semifinals of a WTT Star Contender occasion. And he had achieved it with an enormous win over Korea’s Lim Jonghoon, ranked as excessive as World No. 11 in 2023. Although he misplaced to France’s Thibault Poret within the final 4, he rose to a career-high World No. 47 and have become the top-ranked Indian on the energy of his historic run.
The counterpoint
Thakkar additionally proved a number of detractors improper, providing a counterpoint to the view that he would battle on the demanding skilled circuit as a result of he lacked a serious weapon.
A rally-player who depends on counterattacks and accuracy to realize factors, Thakkar has added a number of layers to his sport, which didn’t go unnoticed. It was as clear as crystal within the method through which he defeated Australia’s Finn Luu within the spherical of 32 and 19-year-old German Andre Bertelsmeier within the final 16 earlier than the defining victory over Lim.
Thakkar was fast on his toes and bent ahead to take the ball early, exerting immense strain on his opponents. He additionally experimented along with his serve, utilizing the side-spin and reverse side-spin variations along with his staple, the Tomahawk.
Significantly, he was mentally stronger than earlier than when it comes to dealing with strain when he was down a number of factors or dealing with a tricky time towards a fancied participant. The elevated confidence meant he was not averse to going for his photographs, which bodes nicely for the long run.
Expanding his vary: The Tomahawk is Thakkar’s go-to serve, however he has added the side-spin and reverse side-spin variations to his repertoire. | Photo credit score: Getty Images
Thakkar’s technique and psychological skill have been in full view within the fourth sport towards Lim. Trailing 2-6, he received 9 factors in a row with a beautiful mixture of efficient serves, wonderful third-ball assaults and constant play from the again of the desk.
Lim simply couldn’t get well after dropping the fourth sport. In the fifth sport, Thakkar resumed from the place he left off, serving nicely and hurrying the Korean by taking the ball early. Lim might solely win one level within the decider.
Thakkar has at all times aimed to carry out nicely in worldwide tournaments at dwelling, however he hadn’t been in a position to realise that ambition till the Chennai event. In the earlier two WTT Star Contender occasions in India (Goa, 2023 and 2024), he misplaced within the remaining qualifying spherical.
This time, he shattered a psychological barrier. “Yes, I finally broke it,” mentioned Thakkar. “I used to be underneath numerous strain. In the final two years in Goa, I didn’t do this nicely. At the beginning of the Chennai event, I used to be actually underneath strain however as quickly because the event obtained going, I used to be fairly relaxed.
“Also, the preparation was quite good. We went to Sweden for a training camp, we were also in Bengaluru and we were with National coach Massimo Costantini for a camp for a total of 14 days. I realise, now, I am a bit more mature compared to the last two years.”
From passive to aggressive
Deepak Malik, who coached Thakkar from 2019 to 2021, performed a small however vital function within the 24-year-old creating right into a well-rounded participant. “Earlier, he used to play a passive game,” mentioned Malik. “We focused on his forehand and backhand attack. Manav, now, has good mental awareness of his game. He has become more calm and focused and plays confidently against top-ranked players. Technically, he has become more aggressive.”
Thakkar’s dedication to enchancment was evident in how he dealt with the defeat to Poret. For half an hour after the match, he was deep in dialogue with Chris Pfeiffer, his private coach, and Costantini on the finer points of his sport.
“I was a little upset that I lost a good opportunity,” mentioned Thakkar. “Massimo and Chris said they felt in the semifinal that my touch was still not at its best. It’s how I touch the ball in terms of spin and speed… like the second ball, third ball and fourth ball. They felt we need to work on this touch because now I have good confidence.”
The greatest takeaway from the event, the 2018 Asian Games medallist mentioned, was his psychological fortitude and composure in crunch moments, one thing he has labored on.
“The best part is I have become very strong mentally. Like I was very calm and composed in crucial situations. And whenever it was needed, I won the deciders.”
Recalling earlier defeats in deciders, Thakkar mentioned, “In 2022 and 2023, I lost 11-12 matches in the decider. I met mental trainer Gayatri Vartak. She used to say, ‘Before each and every point, take time. If you feel very nervous, open your shoelaces, tie your shoelaces and think what you want to do. Like what you want to serve. Just focus on two things. That serve and receive. Don’t think about the outcome’. The whole last year, I have been able to convert those matches also.”
Tough competitor: Thakkar’s technique and psychological skill have been showcased in Chennai. Quick on his toes, he bent ahead to take the ball early, exerting immense strain on his opponents. | Photo credit score: M. Vedhan
It confirmed in his leads to 2024. He reached the ultimate of the WTT Feeder in Beirut and made two quarterfinals in WTT Contender occasions along with getting into the semifinals of the WTT Feeder in Corpus Christi (Texas).
Work in progress
Pfeiffer mentioned Thakkar has integrated fairly a number of adjustments in his sport, however insisted that it’s nonetheless a piece in progress. “He has to work with the ball and against the ball. I think the development in the last month was visible. Now we just need to fix some other things to progress further.”
On Thakkar not having a serious weapon, Pfeiffer mentioned it was not a matter of concern. “Of course, it’s also not too easy to bring something new in the game… that becomes very dangerous. When I look back, I can say that the forehand is already much harder and stronger,” he mentioned.
The legendary Sharath Kamal, who has mentored Thakkar, Manush Shah and S.F.R. Snehit over the previous few years, felt Thakkar had progressed for the reason that 2024 Paris Olympics.
“In fact, in the last two years or so, the kind of improvement Manav has shown has been really good,” mentioned Sharath. “He has been steadily climbing up the ladder. He reads the opponent’s mind really well. We are trying to work on his physical abilities, putting on a little bit of weight. We are also working on the technical aspects.”
Sharath mentioned he’s subsequent month’s World Championships and the 2026 Asian Games as alternatives for Thakkar to make an impression on the large stage. Fortunately for the younger Indian, he has a powerful assist system of coaches, together with Sharath as mentor, to chase his goals. Of profitable a doubles medal with Manush on the Worlds, of making a number of upsets in singles, of clinching a medal or two on the Asian Games.
Having tasted what a breakthrough appears like, hope springs everlasting for Thakkar.
Published – April 11, 2025 10:47 pm IST
