Reset and refocused – Mukund hopes to find his rhythm again

S. Mukund. | Photo: Kamesh Srinivasan

In the intensely competitive world of tennis, it is easy to lose one’s way — and game — in the rat race for rankings.

Experience has taught 28-year-old S. Mukund the need to occasionally step back and re-focus, get stronger with one’s game and fitness.

Mukund has slipped to be No. 3 in the country behind Sumit Nagal (169) and the 19-year-old Aryan Shah (450).

Ranked 456, with two ATP points keeping him away from the No. 2 status in the country, Mukund is not worried.

“I was ranked No. 1 briefly. I was losing close matches. I decided to work on the aspects to get better. Took time off to train,” said Mukund on Sunday, hours after returning to Delhi from China, where he had lost the semifinals against the No.1 seed.

After playing a series of Challengers, apart from the successful Davis Cup tie against Togo at home, Mukund decided to prepare well and compete in the ITF event in Botou.

“Playing the four Challengers in India immediately after the Davis Cup was hard. And then, one had to play in the qualifying event in a couple of them. Experience teaches us about the art of making the right choice,” said Mukund.

“Losing close matches is not a mental issue. It only shows that physical preparation has not been good. When you sharpen your game, you are able to execute the shots at key moments that decide a match. You don’t even think. It becomes muscle memory,” he said.

In a week, Mukund will head to Georgia for the Challengers in Tbilisi.

After having been ranked a career best 229 in October 2019, dealing with the pandemic, repairing his game to be one of country’s leading singles players,

Mukund has stopped complaining about the system or the lack of support. Moreover, he is now without a coach, as his long-time mentor Martin Spottl is out with an Achilles injury.

“Irrespective of the coaching, supportive system or anything, I am responsible for how I play on court, and my results. If I am ranked 456, I can’t blame the world,” said Mukund, who has now realised that taking responsibility is the best way to grow.