1 00:00:02,120 --> 00:00:05,080 Speaker 1: Hello and welcome to the Sitdown. I'm Viv Christie, Managing 2 00:00:05,200 --> 00:00:06,640 Speaker 1: editor of Australian Tennis. 3 00:00:06,320 --> 00:00:09,360 Speaker 2: Magazine, and I'm Matroop, a writer for ozopen dot com. 4 00:00:09,520 --> 00:00:11,799 Speaker 2: And Viv tell us why we're sitting down this week 5 00:00:11,840 --> 00:00:12,799 Speaker 2: with Sumitt Nogale. 6 00:00:13,000 --> 00:00:15,159 Speaker 1: Well, it's almost time for the Australian Open and one 7 00:00:15,200 --> 00:00:17,760 Speaker 1: of my favorite stories from this year's tournament was the 8 00:00:17,800 --> 00:00:20,840 Speaker 1: success of Summitt Nogal, who qualified, played a couple of 9 00:00:20,840 --> 00:00:23,640 Speaker 1: great matches, used that as a platform for his top 10 00:00:23,680 --> 00:00:26,680 Speaker 1: one hundred breakthrough. I also love the story of his 11 00:00:27,160 --> 00:00:30,240 Speaker 1: journey in tennis generally, which actually started with cricket. 12 00:00:30,480 --> 00:00:33,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, and it was so funny. Just before we spoke 13 00:00:33,159 --> 00:00:36,160 Speaker 2: to Suemitt, Rafael Nadala retired and there was that iconic 14 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:39,040 Speaker 2: tweet from Sumit where it said alas no more Nogal 15 00:00:39,120 --> 00:00:41,960 Speaker 2: versus Nadala. I think it was Nogal versus Nadal will 16 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:44,239 Speaker 2: remain a dream and we thought that was great and 17 00:00:44,280 --> 00:00:46,159 Speaker 2: we also use that as an opportunity to ask him 18 00:00:46,159 --> 00:00:51,000 Speaker 2: about it in our chat with him. Sum At Nogal, 19 00:00:51,080 --> 00:00:52,959 Speaker 2: thank you so much for joining us on the sit 20 00:00:53,040 --> 00:00:53,680 Speaker 2: Down podcast. 21 00:00:53,680 --> 00:00:54,920 Speaker 3: It's great to see you and great to. 22 00:00:54,880 --> 00:00:58,280 Speaker 2: Have you a big vim and where in the world 23 00:00:58,280 --> 00:00:59,560 Speaker 2: do we find you at the moment. 24 00:01:00,080 --> 00:01:03,240 Speaker 3: I'm currently in Mumbai, India. I'm playing a tennis league 25 00:01:03,280 --> 00:01:06,039 Speaker 3: in India. I'm playing my first match today in a 26 00:01:06,040 --> 00:01:07,440 Speaker 3: few hours. I'm looking forward to it. 27 00:01:08,080 --> 00:01:10,040 Speaker 2: Fantastic. So I've got you right in the middle. Is 28 00:01:10,040 --> 00:01:11,920 Speaker 2: it does this count as preseason or is this a 29 00:01:11,920 --> 00:01:13,440 Speaker 2: continuation of the season? 30 00:01:13,480 --> 00:01:15,640 Speaker 3: How does this fit? I think it's more like a 31 00:01:15,680 --> 00:01:18,679 Speaker 3: first week of my preseason. I'm starting very slow. I 32 00:01:18,680 --> 00:01:21,640 Speaker 3: did some sort of very easy fitness yesterday and I'm 33 00:01:21,680 --> 00:01:26,280 Speaker 3: gonna keep doing that for this week. Post post this league, 34 00:01:26,319 --> 00:01:29,960 Speaker 3: I'm gonna go to Dubai. I'm gonna start uh playing 35 00:01:29,959 --> 00:01:32,080 Speaker 3: a lot of tennis and a lot of heart fitness 36 00:01:32,360 --> 00:01:36,160 Speaker 3: for next two three weeks, I would say, and then 37 00:01:36,760 --> 00:01:38,600 Speaker 3: fly to Australia around Christmas time. 38 00:01:39,360 --> 00:01:39,959 Speaker 1: Fantastic. 39 00:01:40,440 --> 00:01:43,040 Speaker 2: So you caught our attention just the other day actually 40 00:01:43,080 --> 00:01:47,720 Speaker 2: with your tweet Nadal versus Nagal remains a dream. 41 00:01:48,040 --> 00:01:49,640 Speaker 3: Yes, what prompted that is that? 42 00:01:50,160 --> 00:01:52,600 Speaker 2: Do you know Rapha had you ever got to meet 43 00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:54,160 Speaker 2: him or have anything to do with him? 44 00:01:54,720 --> 00:01:57,480 Speaker 3: Like obviously you see you see these players, you know 45 00:01:58,400 --> 00:02:02,200 Speaker 3: in every tournament you say Hi, Hello, but like I've 46 00:02:02,200 --> 00:02:04,720 Speaker 3: never really sat down with him or even actually never 47 00:02:04,760 --> 00:02:08,519 Speaker 3: even pact us with him, So it's like, yeah, it's like, 48 00:02:08,520 --> 00:02:10,639 Speaker 3: like I said, it's stayed a dream. How would have 49 00:02:10,680 --> 00:02:13,440 Speaker 3: been incredible to play him in the in French Open? 50 00:02:13,520 --> 00:02:16,720 Speaker 3: You know, I know he's the greatest ever to be 51 00:02:16,760 --> 00:02:19,120 Speaker 3: come out of out of that court, but there, you know, 52 00:02:19,320 --> 00:02:22,520 Speaker 3: to to to have that challenge to step on the court, 53 00:02:23,120 --> 00:02:25,880 Speaker 3: to feel that aura that he has on that court, 54 00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:28,000 Speaker 3: I think would have been something to experience. 55 00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:31,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, so you told us, yes, you're you're back home 56 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:33,760 Speaker 2: in India. For tennis players, obviously they're on the road 57 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:36,520 Speaker 2: for so long, how special is it or good for 58 00:02:36,600 --> 00:02:38,520 Speaker 2: you is it to be back in India? Like and 59 00:02:38,560 --> 00:02:40,240 Speaker 2: he said, you're just about to go to Dubais, So 60 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:42,679 Speaker 2: like what do you enjoy about that occasion to be 61 00:02:42,720 --> 00:02:43,079 Speaker 2: at home? 62 00:02:44,160 --> 00:02:48,160 Speaker 3: I would say, you know, family, friends, food, my my 63 00:02:48,200 --> 00:02:50,280 Speaker 3: training bases in Germany, So I don't really get to 64 00:02:50,320 --> 00:02:52,760 Speaker 3: spend so much time in India. Maybe I'm I'm here 65 00:02:52,800 --> 00:02:55,240 Speaker 3: too three weeks a year, so whenever I get a 66 00:02:55,320 --> 00:02:58,079 Speaker 3: chance to come back, I come back. You know, yeah, 67 00:02:58,120 --> 00:03:00,600 Speaker 3: I miss a lot, but I don't really have a choice. 68 00:03:00,600 --> 00:03:02,240 Speaker 3: If I really want to do well in Vennis, I 69 00:03:02,280 --> 00:03:04,800 Speaker 3: need to stay away from from India. 70 00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:08,320 Speaker 2: That that's a similar for Australian place too. It's even 71 00:03:08,360 --> 00:03:12,519 Speaker 2: further to Guy. And it was such a special season 72 00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:14,440 Speaker 2: for you. So when you look back at it, what 73 00:03:14,480 --> 00:03:16,360 Speaker 2: would be the highlight mm hmmm. 74 00:03:16,520 --> 00:03:18,480 Speaker 3: I would say my first few months of the year 75 00:03:18,520 --> 00:03:23,000 Speaker 3: were very good. Breaking in top hundred by Wanning that 76 00:03:23,160 --> 00:03:26,440 Speaker 3: challenger in India was very emotional because of the people 77 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:30,880 Speaker 3: who were around, and to break it in India, I think, 78 00:03:30,919 --> 00:03:36,240 Speaker 3: I think it was a pretty pretty nice, nice, nice 79 00:03:36,280 --> 00:03:39,640 Speaker 3: week having friends and family around here. I don't think. 80 00:03:40,440 --> 00:03:43,160 Speaker 3: I mean if if you see the videos, I was crying. 81 00:03:43,240 --> 00:03:46,160 Speaker 3: You know, I've never cried on the court, So yeah, 82 00:03:46,160 --> 00:03:49,320 Speaker 3: there was a lot of a lot of emotion coming 83 00:03:49,360 --> 00:03:52,920 Speaker 3: out of my body, feeling feeling I would say a 84 00:03:52,960 --> 00:03:57,880 Speaker 3: little bit relieved, yeah, and then I would say the 85 00:03:57,920 --> 00:04:02,600 Speaker 3: second would be in the Olympics again, you know, I 86 00:04:02,640 --> 00:04:07,320 Speaker 3: think it's I I really really loved playing playing Olympics 87 00:04:07,320 --> 00:04:11,200 Speaker 3: for India. Unfortunately I didn't do well. I ended up 88 00:04:11,200 --> 00:04:16,200 Speaker 3: losing to Mute, but to to experience that atmosphere again 89 00:04:16,320 --> 00:04:20,360 Speaker 3: playing a French and hole where it was it wasn't 90 00:04:20,400 --> 00:04:23,480 Speaker 3: easy but yeah, I mean, these are the moments, these 91 00:04:23,480 --> 00:04:25,839 Speaker 3: are the matches that makes you tougher and makes you 92 00:04:26,120 --> 00:04:28,960 Speaker 3: more compete, even even at a higher stage. 93 00:04:29,440 --> 00:04:31,560 Speaker 1: I was wondering if you could take us back to 94 00:04:31,680 --> 00:04:35,200 Speaker 1: your start in tennis. We we know that your first 95 00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:38,200 Speaker 1: sporting love was cricket. How did tennis win you? 96 00:04:38,279 --> 00:04:45,360 Speaker 3: Ever? Didn't really win me. So when I was a kid, 97 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:47,120 Speaker 3: I would I would play a lot on the streets, 98 00:04:47,160 --> 00:04:50,320 Speaker 3: like I would be out and out whole day, and 99 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:52,240 Speaker 3: especially if you if I, if I had a day 100 00:04:52,279 --> 00:04:54,200 Speaker 3: off or holidays were going on, I would be a 101 00:04:54,520 --> 00:04:56,760 Speaker 3: guy who would go who would leave his house at 102 00:04:56,839 --> 00:04:59,719 Speaker 3: nine and be back at nine pm. And I would 103 00:04:59,760 --> 00:05:01,680 Speaker 3: fell a lot of time playing cricket like like we 104 00:05:01,760 --> 00:05:05,440 Speaker 3: call it gutty cricket, like playing cricket on the streets. 105 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:09,919 Speaker 3: And my father saw, you know how much energy I'm putting, 106 00:05:10,720 --> 00:05:14,240 Speaker 3: and he didn't really wanted me to play any team sport, 107 00:05:14,320 --> 00:05:15,960 Speaker 3: looking at you know how tough it is to get 108 00:05:16,000 --> 00:05:18,880 Speaker 3: into a team sport in India. And then we had 109 00:05:18,880 --> 00:05:21,919 Speaker 3: a we had a family friend whose daughter was playing 110 00:05:21,960 --> 00:05:24,120 Speaker 3: tennis at that time, so they were the one guide 111 00:05:24,160 --> 00:05:27,240 Speaker 3: that my father saying, let let let him try some tennis. 112 00:05:27,440 --> 00:05:30,560 Speaker 3: And I think from the day one when I when 113 00:05:30,600 --> 00:05:33,000 Speaker 3: I got a racket, I don't think we ever looked back. 114 00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:35,800 Speaker 3: There was no question of like, hey do you want 115 00:05:35,839 --> 00:05:38,479 Speaker 3: to you should we try other sports? It was day 116 00:05:38,480 --> 00:05:41,080 Speaker 3: one was tennis, Day two was tennis. Day fifty was 117 00:05:41,120 --> 00:05:42,440 Speaker 3: tennis tennis. 118 00:05:42,640 --> 00:05:47,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, and then of course you you joined MAHESHBA Parties Academy. 119 00:05:47,279 --> 00:05:47,920 Speaker 3: Can can you. 120 00:05:47,920 --> 00:05:48,960 Speaker 1: Talk us through that? 121 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:55,200 Speaker 3: Yeah, there's a funny story behind it. But this would 122 00:05:55,240 --> 00:05:59,719 Speaker 3: be two thousand and seventh December. We heard there's a 123 00:05:59,760 --> 00:06:02,920 Speaker 3: pro there's a there's a program coming in. They're gonna 124 00:06:02,920 --> 00:06:05,400 Speaker 3: select a few kids. We me and my father had 125 00:06:05,440 --> 00:06:08,040 Speaker 3: no idea how many harmony were they going to select. 126 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:10,400 Speaker 3: And I wasn't really high ranked around that I'm in India, 127 00:06:11,400 --> 00:06:14,040 Speaker 3: but we my mom, my dad mom were like, yeah, 128 00:06:14,080 --> 00:06:17,080 Speaker 3: I just tried. Who cares, you know, nothing to lose, 129 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:20,160 Speaker 3: it's in our city. So I ended up going a 130 00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:24,479 Speaker 3: few few things happened. I I actually went up to 131 00:06:24,520 --> 00:06:26,560 Speaker 3: my hage saying, can you please look at my game? 132 00:06:26,720 --> 00:06:29,600 Speaker 3: And you know you're picking up kids that I usually beat. 133 00:06:29,760 --> 00:06:32,240 Speaker 3: That's that's how I said it, which I apparently he 134 00:06:32,240 --> 00:06:34,080 Speaker 3: he really liked that I had a lot of confidence 135 00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:37,000 Speaker 3: at the very young age, and from there on, I 136 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:39,640 Speaker 3: I got selected for the for the for the program, 137 00:06:39,760 --> 00:06:42,719 Speaker 3: I went to Bangalore for two years and from there on, 138 00:06:43,360 --> 00:06:45,080 Speaker 3: I've just always been under my age. 139 00:06:45,839 --> 00:06:48,120 Speaker 1: Well so he still plays a role in your. 140 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:51,680 Speaker 3: Career now, yeah, yeah, yeah, sure, he's still my manager. Yeah, 141 00:06:51,720 --> 00:06:55,120 Speaker 3: he's he's the manager, mentor friend, whatever you want to say. 142 00:06:55,200 --> 00:06:57,960 Speaker 3: He's he's always been there, fantastic. 143 00:06:58,240 --> 00:07:01,159 Speaker 1: Who else would you say has been influential in your career? 144 00:07:02,760 --> 00:07:06,960 Speaker 3: Obviously my parents, you know, because they've seen they've seen 145 00:07:07,080 --> 00:07:11,600 Speaker 3: up and downs of last whatever, seventeen years, fifteen years, 146 00:07:11,600 --> 00:07:14,240 Speaker 3: whatever you want to say it, you know, so, yeah, 147 00:07:14,280 --> 00:07:18,760 Speaker 3: they've been very supportive, especially especially my mom. She doesn't 148 00:07:18,760 --> 00:07:21,640 Speaker 3: really care much about how good I do on tennis core. 149 00:07:21,760 --> 00:07:24,880 Speaker 3: She cares more about how I feel, which is yeah. 150 00:07:25,040 --> 00:07:26,680 Speaker 3: You know, every time I've come out of the match, 151 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:29,680 Speaker 3: if I don't do well, She'll be like, how was it? 152 00:07:29,760 --> 00:07:31,600 Speaker 3: I say? I lost? She's like that, I know, But 153 00:07:31,720 --> 00:07:34,800 Speaker 3: how you're feeling, which is yeah, which is which? Like 154 00:07:34,880 --> 00:07:37,280 Speaker 3: you know, you know, sometimes you feel like coaches don't 155 00:07:37,320 --> 00:07:39,320 Speaker 3: never ask that, you know, coaches like Ellison, you should 156 00:07:39,320 --> 00:07:41,480 Speaker 3: have done this that So of course that mom. Mom 157 00:07:41,520 --> 00:07:45,760 Speaker 3: fills up that role. And some of my friends, you know, 158 00:07:45,800 --> 00:07:47,680 Speaker 3: they've been They've been there for ten years, twelve years, 159 00:07:47,760 --> 00:07:52,120 Speaker 3: fourteen years, always been around, always been pushing. So fortunate 160 00:07:52,240 --> 00:07:54,120 Speaker 3: to have these people of course. 161 00:07:54,280 --> 00:07:57,680 Speaker 2: Yeah the Australian Open, we remember your run so well 162 00:07:58,440 --> 00:08:00,960 Speaker 2: at the start of this year, or we wondered what 163 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:03,160 Speaker 2: your memories were of that because you qualified, she Pade, 164 00:08:03,200 --> 00:08:06,280 Speaker 2: Alexander Bublake. There was a great atmosphere around your matches 165 00:08:06,320 --> 00:08:08,880 Speaker 2: as well. It was yeah, what what what stands at 166 00:08:08,880 --> 00:08:09,600 Speaker 2: to you with that run? 167 00:08:10,440 --> 00:08:12,640 Speaker 3: To be honest, that was the first time I ever 168 00:08:12,720 --> 00:08:15,680 Speaker 3: did well in Australia. So every time I come to Australia, 169 00:08:15,720 --> 00:08:17,880 Speaker 3: I was like, man, every time I go on, the 170 00:08:17,920 --> 00:08:21,120 Speaker 3: court is so windy and the coach are so fast. 171 00:08:21,440 --> 00:08:25,120 Speaker 3: Every code is different. But last year I somehow, I 172 00:08:25,200 --> 00:08:29,320 Speaker 3: think I felt like maturity came in. I was, I 173 00:08:29,320 --> 00:08:32,560 Speaker 3: would say, an older player on the tennis court comparing 174 00:08:32,600 --> 00:08:35,000 Speaker 3: to my last four, five, six, whatever, comparing to my 175 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:37,880 Speaker 3: juniors and seniors in Australia, and I think that was 176 00:08:37,920 --> 00:08:41,040 Speaker 3: the biggest change that I felt on the court, that 177 00:08:41,120 --> 00:08:44,760 Speaker 3: I was able to deal with things better comparing to 178 00:08:44,760 --> 00:08:48,680 Speaker 3: the last few years and I think the yeah, like 179 00:08:48,720 --> 00:08:51,560 Speaker 3: you said, the atmosphere was was was crazy. A lot 180 00:08:51,559 --> 00:08:54,120 Speaker 3: of Indians showed up to to support me, which was 181 00:08:54,160 --> 00:08:56,840 Speaker 3: which was yeah, which was incredible States and especially playing 182 00:08:57,000 --> 00:09:00,360 Speaker 3: Jerry Shang in the second Old I mean you should 183 00:09:00,360 --> 00:09:04,320 Speaker 3: have seen it. It was very, very loud. But yeah, 184 00:09:04,360 --> 00:09:08,040 Speaker 3: I'm looking looking forward to Australia again. I think I 185 00:09:08,080 --> 00:09:11,520 Speaker 3: think I'm gonna gotta be better this time. 186 00:09:11,920 --> 00:09:14,280 Speaker 2: And do you think it like set you up, like 187 00:09:14,360 --> 00:09:16,199 Speaker 2: set your season off on a good track or a 188 00:09:16,240 --> 00:09:16,760 Speaker 2: good path. 189 00:09:17,320 --> 00:09:20,319 Speaker 3: Yeah, for sure, because get me confidence right, gave me confidence. 190 00:09:20,720 --> 00:09:23,319 Speaker 3: I was playing on a very high level. Majority of 191 00:09:23,360 --> 00:09:25,520 Speaker 3: the year I played, I played on the ATP two level, 192 00:09:25,640 --> 00:09:28,040 Speaker 3: had some really good matches, So I think I think 193 00:09:28,120 --> 00:09:32,680 Speaker 3: the Australian two really gave me, gave me a jump start, 194 00:09:32,720 --> 00:09:35,200 Speaker 3: I would say. And again, you're looking to do the 195 00:09:35,240 --> 00:09:38,160 Speaker 3: same kind of schedule. Start in Canberra, start very fucking 196 00:09:38,240 --> 00:09:41,120 Speaker 3: camebra is faster than Australia, so you know I'm faster 197 00:09:41,200 --> 00:09:44,040 Speaker 3: than Melbourne, I would say, So we can start there 198 00:09:44,160 --> 00:09:46,920 Speaker 3: and then maybe maybe see what to play the second 199 00:09:46,920 --> 00:09:50,880 Speaker 3: week and then be ready by being ready by Melbourne 200 00:09:50,920 --> 00:09:52,720 Speaker 3: starts awesome. 201 00:09:52,960 --> 00:09:56,240 Speaker 2: You mentioned the atmosphere being so good at the Australian Open, 202 00:09:56,480 --> 00:10:00,400 Speaker 2: and then you talked earlier about winning the challenge title 203 00:10:00,400 --> 00:10:02,240 Speaker 2: in India and cracked the top hundred and us so 204 00:10:02,320 --> 00:10:04,560 Speaker 2: emotional if it happens to you was gride at the II. 205 00:10:04,640 --> 00:10:06,559 Speaker 2: What was it like on home soil? Like did you 206 00:10:06,640 --> 00:10:09,160 Speaker 2: have many home fans watching that tournament and what you 207 00:10:09,240 --> 00:10:09,880 Speaker 2: achieved there? 208 00:10:10,800 --> 00:10:14,920 Speaker 3: It's a big good. That stadium in China is huge, 209 00:10:15,040 --> 00:10:17,080 Speaker 3: so I don't know how many people were there, but 210 00:10:17,080 --> 00:10:19,559 Speaker 3: I would say the people were as like lower lower 211 00:10:19,559 --> 00:10:22,480 Speaker 3: stands as were quite full. Obviously the mac cord I 212 00:10:22,559 --> 00:10:26,200 Speaker 3: played in Australia was smaller than the chene One because 213 00:10:26,240 --> 00:10:28,199 Speaker 3: it's that word where they played the two fifty events. 214 00:10:28,200 --> 00:10:31,440 Speaker 3: So it's a huge stadium. But I would say maybe 215 00:10:31,440 --> 00:10:35,120 Speaker 3: I felt like Australia was louder because of the way 216 00:10:35,200 --> 00:10:38,240 Speaker 3: the things were. Fans on this side fan but nothing 217 00:10:38,240 --> 00:10:39,880 Speaker 3: on this side, so you feel like, you know, it's 218 00:10:39,920 --> 00:10:43,840 Speaker 3: it's like right here. And obviously India hoors to China, 219 00:10:43,920 --> 00:10:46,560 Speaker 3: you know it's gonna get a little bit heat so 220 00:10:47,120 --> 00:10:51,439 Speaker 3: but but yeah, I think the Chennai week pretty much 221 00:10:51,440 --> 00:10:53,360 Speaker 3: a lot of people showed up for a challenge that 222 00:10:53,400 --> 00:10:56,200 Speaker 3: I don't think I ever seen something like this. I 223 00:10:56,240 --> 00:11:00,559 Speaker 3: think also maybe because of me doing the lee well 224 00:11:00,559 --> 00:11:03,080 Speaker 3: in Australia played a big part. I was on the news, 225 00:11:03,080 --> 00:11:05,440 Speaker 3: so people showed up, which was very nice, Yeah, which 226 00:11:05,480 --> 00:11:06,480 Speaker 3: was really really nice. 227 00:11:06,920 --> 00:11:10,199 Speaker 2: And those emotions you talked about, like winning that challenger, 228 00:11:10,360 --> 00:11:13,200 Speaker 2: cracking the top one hundred, what was behind those emotions. 229 00:11:13,320 --> 00:11:16,320 Speaker 2: Was that anything to do with, you know, challenges you've overcome, 230 00:11:16,559 --> 00:11:19,240 Speaker 2: the hip surgery, things like that, or is there something 231 00:11:19,240 --> 00:11:20,120 Speaker 2: else behind that emotion? 232 00:11:20,720 --> 00:11:25,120 Speaker 3: I think I think pretty much mix off everything, you know, injuries, 233 00:11:26,720 --> 00:11:31,120 Speaker 3: waking up at six am doing yeah, taking buses at 234 00:11:31,160 --> 00:11:33,000 Speaker 3: five am. Sometimes when I was a kid, I would 235 00:11:33,000 --> 00:11:35,640 Speaker 3: take a bus at five years to go practice at eight. 236 00:11:35,720 --> 00:11:37,680 Speaker 3: You know, the bus ride would be two two hours 237 00:11:39,640 --> 00:11:44,800 Speaker 3: then to yeah, to to sleeping on chairs sometimes when 238 00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:47,000 Speaker 3: I was a junior, I would put two chairs together 239 00:11:47,120 --> 00:11:49,520 Speaker 3: and sleep on it, you know, sleeping at the airport. 240 00:11:49,600 --> 00:11:52,160 Speaker 3: So yeah, those things where where you don't have to 241 00:11:52,200 --> 00:11:57,080 Speaker 3: do by hopes, but those things came in play, you know. 242 00:11:57,320 --> 00:12:00,480 Speaker 3: You how you get a very fast flashback off of 243 00:12:00,520 --> 00:12:03,760 Speaker 3: the things that you really did enjoy but when you 244 00:12:03,800 --> 00:12:04,280 Speaker 3: were a kid. 245 00:12:04,360 --> 00:12:09,640 Speaker 1: But yeah, just sort of stearing the conversation a little 246 00:12:09,640 --> 00:12:13,800 Speaker 1: bit towards tennis in India. So you are the sort 247 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:16,920 Speaker 1: of the standout top one hundred player for India at 248 00:12:16,960 --> 00:12:19,640 Speaker 1: the moment, do you feel a sense of like a 249 00:12:19,720 --> 00:12:21,840 Speaker 1: role model responsibility that comes with them. 250 00:12:22,640 --> 00:12:25,480 Speaker 3: I don't know if I feel like a responsibility or 251 00:12:25,480 --> 00:12:27,440 Speaker 3: it comes, but I do want to change it. I 252 00:12:27,440 --> 00:12:30,480 Speaker 3: do want to do it. I have been very vocal about, 253 00:12:30,520 --> 00:12:35,280 Speaker 3: you know, having things change, have a system, but obviously 254 00:12:35,280 --> 00:12:37,880 Speaker 3: it's very it's easy to say, but it's very hard 255 00:12:37,920 --> 00:12:39,840 Speaker 3: to do it. You know, it's very hard to change things. 256 00:12:40,720 --> 00:12:43,040 Speaker 3: But yeah, I would really like if there can be 257 00:12:43,080 --> 00:12:45,720 Speaker 3: a system, if we can follow our system and have 258 00:12:46,520 --> 00:12:48,800 Speaker 3: good people involved in the Indian tennis. 259 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:51,120 Speaker 1: Who are your role models when you were growing up? 260 00:12:51,960 --> 00:12:55,560 Speaker 3: I mean me being Indianized, I watched a lot of 261 00:12:55,559 --> 00:13:00,240 Speaker 3: some dev devironment. Yeah, he actually helps me as well 262 00:13:00,360 --> 00:13:03,840 Speaker 3: some weeks he travels with me. If I say internationally, 263 00:13:03,880 --> 00:13:06,840 Speaker 3: I would say David Ferrer. I watched a lot of 264 00:13:06,880 --> 00:13:09,640 Speaker 3: David Ferrer as well. I watched a lot of Hewitt 265 00:13:10,120 --> 00:13:13,839 Speaker 3: as well. And then I would say I really enjoy 266 00:13:14,760 --> 00:13:16,760 Speaker 3: Joko and Andy Murray's matches as well. 267 00:13:17,600 --> 00:13:20,839 Speaker 1: Sure, David Ferraan and lighton Hewitt, Are there are kind 268 00:13:20,880 --> 00:13:23,920 Speaker 1: of any qualities of theirs that you particularly admire? 269 00:13:24,920 --> 00:13:27,920 Speaker 3: There're are fighters, Yeah, you go on that sort. You're like, 270 00:13:28,240 --> 00:13:30,120 Speaker 3: this is not going to be easy no matter what. 271 00:13:30,400 --> 00:13:35,000 Speaker 3: You know, that that quality it's it's not easy to build. 272 00:13:35,640 --> 00:13:37,760 Speaker 3: It's probably one of the hardest thing to do in 273 00:13:37,800 --> 00:13:40,520 Speaker 3: tennis to have that quality for sure. 274 00:13:41,360 --> 00:13:45,760 Speaker 1: And just tennis in India generally, how popular is it 275 00:13:45,840 --> 00:13:48,280 Speaker 1: at as a sport at a grassroots level? 276 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:52,400 Speaker 3: I think I think there were better, better times. I 277 00:13:52,440 --> 00:13:56,360 Speaker 3: would say right now, maybe some other sports are picking up. 278 00:13:56,400 --> 00:13:59,920 Speaker 3: You know, badminton's very high right now in India. Uh. 279 00:14:00,320 --> 00:14:04,559 Speaker 3: I would say maybe tennis is at five or six 280 00:14:04,760 --> 00:14:07,200 Speaker 3: in India. I would say something like this. You all, 281 00:14:07,240 --> 00:14:09,960 Speaker 3: football has suppos been playing a lot in India. Obviously, 282 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:14,240 Speaker 3: cricket is number one by far. Now I think shooting 283 00:14:14,320 --> 00:14:17,280 Speaker 3: is going to come in play, yeah, because we've got 284 00:14:17,280 --> 00:14:19,520 Speaker 3: some medals. So I think I think tennis is kind 285 00:14:19,560 --> 00:14:21,400 Speaker 3: of unfortunately stepping down a bit. 286 00:14:22,360 --> 00:14:22,480 Speaker 2: Uh. 287 00:14:22,880 --> 00:14:25,480 Speaker 3: But that's also because of you know, not not having 288 00:14:25,640 --> 00:14:29,760 Speaker 3: players playing on the highest tour year and after a year. 289 00:14:29,840 --> 00:14:33,880 Speaker 1: You know, you mentioned earlier that you train now in Germany. 290 00:14:34,360 --> 00:14:37,680 Speaker 1: I believe you also spent some years in Canada developing 291 00:14:37,720 --> 00:14:41,280 Speaker 1: your game. So tennis has certainly taken you to many 292 00:14:41,320 --> 00:14:44,720 Speaker 1: places anywhere that you particularly love well. 293 00:14:44,800 --> 00:14:47,200 Speaker 3: I loved Barcelona. I was there for like two summer. 294 00:14:47,800 --> 00:14:52,200 Speaker 3: I was a pup or Slam Tennis Academy. Fernando vet 295 00:14:52,240 --> 00:14:54,920 Speaker 3: and Galo Blanco, Hio Aleesco, they are the people who 296 00:14:55,000 --> 00:14:59,080 Speaker 3: own this academy. Yeah too. I think to live it 297 00:14:59,120 --> 00:15:01,640 Speaker 3: was it was very much, but I really had a 298 00:15:01,640 --> 00:15:04,480 Speaker 3: lot of financial problem back in twelve, twenty twelve and 299 00:15:04,520 --> 00:15:08,400 Speaker 3: thirteen uh Germany. I think I really enjoy the people 300 00:15:08,440 --> 00:15:11,840 Speaker 3: I work with, but to to like to live in Germany, 301 00:15:11,880 --> 00:15:16,600 Speaker 3: I don't know. I'm not so so certain about it 302 00:15:16,640 --> 00:15:19,080 Speaker 3: because you know, the culture difference is huge from India 303 00:15:19,160 --> 00:15:22,920 Speaker 3: to Germany. But the people I work Sasha ancel Is, 304 00:15:22,920 --> 00:15:26,160 Speaker 3: the tennis coach, milosch Colleges is the fitness center have been. 305 00:15:26,280 --> 00:15:28,680 Speaker 3: I've known them for a decade now, working with them 306 00:15:28,720 --> 00:15:32,400 Speaker 3: for six years. This is my seventh year now. Yeah, 307 00:15:32,520 --> 00:15:34,360 Speaker 3: I think it's very tough to find people like them, 308 00:15:34,400 --> 00:15:37,280 Speaker 3: you know, it's they become they become like family to me. 309 00:15:37,480 --> 00:15:39,640 Speaker 3: I stayed with my tennis coach in his house, so 310 00:15:39,680 --> 00:15:41,000 Speaker 3: there you go you know it's like this. 311 00:15:41,240 --> 00:15:44,160 Speaker 1: Yeah, and I've read that you are also inspired by 312 00:15:44,200 --> 00:15:47,280 Speaker 1: Japanese culture, so you also love Japanese culture so much 313 00:15:47,320 --> 00:15:50,440 Speaker 1: so that it has inspired some of your tattoos. Where 314 00:15:50,480 --> 00:15:52,160 Speaker 1: where did that connection come from? 315 00:15:52,440 --> 00:15:55,240 Speaker 3: I this came from Canada. So when I went to Canada, 316 00:15:55,360 --> 00:15:57,840 Speaker 3: obviously I was very young, right, I was twelve thirty 317 00:15:59,200 --> 00:16:01,800 Speaker 3: and I was alone. I was I would say I 318 00:16:01,880 --> 00:16:04,720 Speaker 3: was staying with my coaches, but my parents were in India. 319 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:08,480 Speaker 3: I would go doing them maybe once a year, so 320 00:16:08,480 --> 00:16:12,960 Speaker 3: so do do. Let's say, every time I would start 321 00:16:13,000 --> 00:16:15,600 Speaker 3: missing my family, I would watch something try to get 322 00:16:15,640 --> 00:16:17,800 Speaker 3: my mind out of it, you know. And that's how 323 00:16:17,840 --> 00:16:20,200 Speaker 3: I picked up a lot of anime to to watch, 324 00:16:20,240 --> 00:16:23,240 Speaker 3: to watch to trick it may back in time. You 325 00:16:23,280 --> 00:16:25,680 Speaker 3: could watch so many episodes or so many great shows, 326 00:16:25,880 --> 00:16:28,400 Speaker 3: so you know, not not like if I watch a movie, 327 00:16:28,440 --> 00:16:30,760 Speaker 3: movie is done in nineteen minutes, but their animated chats 328 00:16:30,760 --> 00:16:33,320 Speaker 3: has six hundred episodes, seven hundred episodes, so it would 329 00:16:33,400 --> 00:16:35,800 Speaker 3: keep me busy. And that's how I started, you know, 330 00:16:35,880 --> 00:16:38,040 Speaker 3: That's how I started watching it. And I grew up 331 00:16:38,080 --> 00:16:41,520 Speaker 3: and I would always imagine, you know, how things would 332 00:16:41,520 --> 00:16:44,240 Speaker 3: be if if Yeah, and from that imagination it went 333 00:16:44,280 --> 00:16:47,360 Speaker 3: into into into liking the culture you mentioned. 334 00:16:47,920 --> 00:16:50,360 Speaker 1: You know, you were alone when you were younger, developing 335 00:16:50,360 --> 00:16:54,160 Speaker 1: your game overseas. It's quite a lot of sacrifice. What 336 00:16:54,160 --> 00:16:57,280 Speaker 1: what character traits do you think has to do best 337 00:16:57,600 --> 00:16:58,360 Speaker 1: in your career? 338 00:16:59,040 --> 00:17:01,840 Speaker 3: It's very, very tough to say it because obviously there 339 00:17:01,880 --> 00:17:05,000 Speaker 3: were moments where you would doubt yourself. You know, I 340 00:17:05,040 --> 00:17:08,600 Speaker 3: think I think I had to build up a character 341 00:17:09,440 --> 00:17:12,960 Speaker 3: going through so many, so many different things, going through 342 00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:16,040 Speaker 3: so many good and bad days. I would say a 343 00:17:16,040 --> 00:17:20,639 Speaker 3: lot of failures, a lot of setbacks. I there were 344 00:17:20,760 --> 00:17:26,640 Speaker 3: time where you know, when I would walk from from 345 00:17:26,680 --> 00:17:29,040 Speaker 3: a bus stop to to the house, I would cry sometimes, 346 00:17:29,119 --> 00:17:32,359 Speaker 3: you know, uh would be so cold, but I didn't 347 00:17:32,359 --> 00:17:34,760 Speaker 3: really want to walk because I know I never actually 348 00:17:34,840 --> 00:17:38,000 Speaker 3: I never thought Canada would be so cold, right, I 349 00:17:38,119 --> 00:17:40,679 Speaker 3: mean yeah, coming from India, Yeah, worst case, what is it? 350 00:17:40,720 --> 00:17:42,920 Speaker 3: Two degrees and you go Canada as minus lipped in 351 00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:46,640 Speaker 3: You're like, what is this? You nice say? But I 352 00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:50,359 Speaker 3: also believe that for me, I felt like it was 353 00:17:50,400 --> 00:17:53,920 Speaker 3: really necessary to go through that, to to to be 354 00:17:54,080 --> 00:17:56,240 Speaker 3: to build that character. Like I said, I don't know 355 00:17:56,240 --> 00:17:58,520 Speaker 3: if there's a name to it. I want to put it, 356 00:17:58,560 --> 00:18:02,720 Speaker 3: but I think it's just mix mix of so many emotions, 357 00:18:02,760 --> 00:18:05,280 Speaker 3: so many incidents that happened that that made me a 358 00:18:05,280 --> 00:18:07,639 Speaker 3: person that I am today, and so simmer. 359 00:18:07,720 --> 00:18:11,199 Speaker 2: When you think about the season starting really soon, it 360 00:18:11,240 --> 00:18:14,440 Speaker 2: sounds like you're quite motivated to start in Australia. Return there, 361 00:18:14,560 --> 00:18:16,280 Speaker 2: you know, start the season off on a good on 362 00:18:16,359 --> 00:18:19,160 Speaker 2: a good note. Is this kind of the most excited 363 00:18:19,200 --> 00:18:22,080 Speaker 2: you felt or the most motivated you felt for the. 364 00:18:22,000 --> 00:18:24,320 Speaker 3: Bland slide all the start of the season. Yeah, well, 365 00:18:24,600 --> 00:18:27,760 Speaker 3: there said I totally Like before last year, I never 366 00:18:27,800 --> 00:18:30,280 Speaker 3: did well in Australia, never won a round. So I 367 00:18:30,320 --> 00:18:32,960 Speaker 3: was like, yeah, whatever, you know, I would. I would 368 00:18:32,960 --> 00:18:35,320 Speaker 3: already look for like February schedule, Like where do I 369 00:18:35,359 --> 00:18:38,679 Speaker 3: start in February. When I'm telling you my Australian Melbourne 370 00:18:38,720 --> 00:18:40,560 Speaker 3: trip has been for like three three four four days. 371 00:18:40,640 --> 00:18:42,160 Speaker 3: Is that you come and you play, you go out, 372 00:18:42,200 --> 00:18:43,840 Speaker 3: you come and you play soll But this time, like 373 00:18:43,880 --> 00:18:46,240 Speaker 3: I said, I feel like I am a better player 374 00:18:46,280 --> 00:18:48,120 Speaker 3: on those fast quotes. Now I can I can play 375 00:18:48,119 --> 00:18:51,560 Speaker 3: better tether and I don't really care like who I play. 376 00:18:51,640 --> 00:18:53,080 Speaker 3: Now I feel like I can, I can be there. 377 00:18:53,560 --> 00:18:55,439 Speaker 2: We're happy to hear that you're excited to come to 378 00:18:55,440 --> 00:18:58,520 Speaker 2: a city which is really good. Also there we remember 379 00:18:58,600 --> 00:19:00,640 Speaker 2: last year you got to go to the end, which 380 00:19:00,720 --> 00:19:02,800 Speaker 2: was a really cool chance for you to you know, 381 00:19:02,920 --> 00:19:04,679 Speaker 2: indulge you a lot of cricket and say that's out 382 00:19:04,760 --> 00:19:07,840 Speaker 2: and they're literally right next to each other. So yeah, 383 00:19:07,840 --> 00:19:09,439 Speaker 2: what were your emotions like when you went to a 384 00:19:09,520 --> 00:19:12,040 Speaker 2: ground that's as famous as the MCG was. 385 00:19:12,080 --> 00:19:14,679 Speaker 3: Definitely unique, you know because I've never thought that tennis 386 00:19:14,680 --> 00:19:17,560 Speaker 3: would take me to cricket and I actually got to 387 00:19:17,640 --> 00:19:20,159 Speaker 3: got to play as well. I panted up for the 388 00:19:20,200 --> 00:19:24,200 Speaker 3: first time life. Yeah, to play play with the red ball. 389 00:19:24,760 --> 00:19:27,359 Speaker 3: I would say it was a very nice, very nice experience, 390 00:19:27,600 --> 00:19:29,680 Speaker 3: very very nice experience. I enjoyed it. 391 00:19:30,600 --> 00:19:35,160 Speaker 2: So obviously there's the Australia India Test Boxing Day in Melbourne. 392 00:19:35,200 --> 00:19:36,199 Speaker 3: Does that in tasio at all? 393 00:19:36,240 --> 00:19:38,680 Speaker 2: To come earlier to Australia to cash on cricket. 394 00:19:39,000 --> 00:19:41,520 Speaker 3: I let's se if thing goes well, I don't mind it, 395 00:19:41,560 --> 00:19:44,000 Speaker 3: to be honest, you know, with ourm landing at Dettlement 396 00:19:44,320 --> 00:19:46,760 Speaker 3: because I haven't booked my Melbourne to whatever, I'm playing it. 397 00:19:46,920 --> 00:19:49,600 Speaker 2: So if that works, our show And so if you 398 00:19:49,640 --> 00:19:52,200 Speaker 2: look ahead to season twenty twenty five, not just Australia 399 00:19:52,240 --> 00:19:53,960 Speaker 2: but as a whole. What do you do You have 400 00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:56,240 Speaker 2: any goals that you're willing to share with us? 401 00:19:57,119 --> 00:19:58,960 Speaker 3: Obviously, I think I would love to go for top 402 00:19:59,000 --> 00:20:01,520 Speaker 3: fifty this year because it was my first year in 403 00:20:01,520 --> 00:20:04,879 Speaker 3: one hundred. I think I was also seeing what tournaments 404 00:20:04,880 --> 00:20:07,159 Speaker 3: to play, what not to play. I didn't really do 405 00:20:07,240 --> 00:20:10,159 Speaker 3: quite well towards the end of the year. That was 406 00:20:10,200 --> 00:20:12,920 Speaker 3: because of injury, a bit of schedule change, a bit 407 00:20:12,960 --> 00:20:14,720 Speaker 3: of playing in the courts that I was not really 408 00:20:14,720 --> 00:20:17,440 Speaker 3: comfortable playing. But it was very much a learning experience 409 00:20:17,440 --> 00:20:19,879 Speaker 3: for me, you know, to play the play the really 410 00:20:20,440 --> 00:20:23,520 Speaker 3: high high tournaments to the surface that I don't want to. 411 00:20:23,960 --> 00:20:26,000 Speaker 3: But now I would say, like this year I will 412 00:20:26,040 --> 00:20:28,119 Speaker 3: be a little bit smarter on how to schedule it, 413 00:20:28,240 --> 00:20:31,120 Speaker 3: or the team will be and then I think, if 414 00:20:31,240 --> 00:20:33,119 Speaker 3: if body stays well, I will lock to push your 415 00:20:33,160 --> 00:20:36,679 Speaker 3: top fifty. 416 00:20:37,119 --> 00:20:39,119 Speaker 2: Wow, VI, if that was so great, I'm really glad 417 00:20:39,160 --> 00:20:41,080 Speaker 2: you sat ut that interview for us. I really enjoyed 418 00:20:41,080 --> 00:20:43,200 Speaker 2: getting to meet him and talk to him. And also 419 00:20:43,200 --> 00:20:45,720 Speaker 2: what incredible timing that he's due to arrive in Melbourne 420 00:20:45,720 --> 00:20:48,800 Speaker 2: this week, just a few days before the Australia India 421 00:20:48,840 --> 00:20:51,159 Speaker 2: Cricket Test across the bridge at the mcg and he 422 00:20:51,160 --> 00:20:53,120 Speaker 2: said he might even go and watch the Boxing Day test, 423 00:20:53,200 --> 00:20:54,600 Speaker 2: like it's amazing that he can do that. 424 00:20:55,040 --> 00:20:58,440 Speaker 1: I imagine that he will be very excited to return to Melbourne, 425 00:20:58,560 --> 00:21:01,200 Speaker 1: just as he had such great and support here this year. 426 00:21:01,280 --> 00:21:03,399 Speaker 1: So many people will be really pleased to see him 427 00:21:03,400 --> 00:21:03,800 Speaker 1: in return. 428 00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:07,439 Speaker 2: Absolutely well, normally we'd end each episode with our usual spiel, 429 00:21:07,440 --> 00:21:09,280 Speaker 2: but we've got an announcement to make, Viv. This is 430 00:21:09,320 --> 00:21:11,560 Speaker 2: our final episode in the twenty twenty four season of 431 00:21:11,600 --> 00:21:13,919 Speaker 2: The sit Down, and as of next week, we'll be 432 00:21:13,960 --> 00:21:16,280 Speaker 2: bringing you a new season of The sit Down in 433 00:21:16,359 --> 00:21:18,520 Speaker 2: our new home. So if you search for The sit 434 00:21:18,600 --> 00:21:21,000 Speaker 2: Down in wherever you get your podcasts, you'll find us 435 00:21:21,040 --> 00:21:23,240 Speaker 2: on our own feed and Viv, we begin the new 436 00:21:23,240 --> 00:21:25,040 Speaker 2: season with a very special guest. 437 00:21:25,200 --> 00:21:28,280 Speaker 1: We do indeed, we're excited to bring you the legendary 438 00:21:28,400 --> 00:21:31,320 Speaker 1: Martina Hingis, who joins us for a long chat from 439 00:21:31,359 --> 00:21:35,480 Speaker 1: her home in Switzerland, talking about all her tennis achievements, 440 00:21:36,119 --> 00:21:38,879 Speaker 1: her thoughts on the game today, and her special connection 441 00:21:38,920 --> 00:21:39,800 Speaker 1: to the is Drone Open. 442 00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:41,719 Speaker 2: We can't wait to bring you that, and we've had 443 00:21:41,720 --> 00:21:44,000 Speaker 2: a fantastic time bringing you our show this year in 444 00:21:44,040 --> 00:21:46,040 Speaker 2: twenty twenty four, and we can't wait to do it 445 00:21:46,080 --> 00:21:48,239 Speaker 2: again next year in twenty twenty five. We'll see you then, 446 00:21:48,280 --> 00:21:49,680 Speaker 2: Viv look forward to it. Matt