Playing since the age of 8, Nitin Kumar Sinha's junior career has been truly remarkable, adorned with numerous prestigious trophies. His crowning achievement came in 2017 when he secured victory at the Asian Junior Championship in Pune, propelling him into the coveted top 100 of the ITF World Junior Rankings. Moreover, he boasts a series of conquests, including triumphant wins at the Fenesta Nationals (Hard) and Adidas MCC Nationals (Clay), showcasing his prowess across different surfaces.
Watch the full interview here:
In a candid interview, Nitin shared his thoughts on his journey and aspirations:
Q: Both are massive feats. Tell us about placing in the Asian Junior Championship and Junior Davis Cup
A: I represented India in the juniors, and my current goal is to represent India in the men's Davis Cup as well. The best we finished was second in under 14, and then we qualified for the world group. It was a really nice experience representing India in the juniors, and hopefully, I can do that in seniors as well.
Q: What's your day-to-day like? Do you have to be very disciplined?
A: When I'm just training, it's usually two sessions of fitness and one and a half to two sessions of tennis, depending on how my body feels. It starts with fitness in the morning, then tennis for about two and a half hours. In the evening, there's another one and a half hours of tennis, and the day concludes with an hour of fitness.
Q: You started playing in Calcutta in a much smaller stadium than your current training ground– RK Khanna in Delhi. Can you share your journey from there to here and what made you start?
A: I was around seven and a half, eight years old when I started playing tennis. Originally, I was going to start playing cricket, but that didn't work out. So, we turned to a nearby tennis academy, and it's been tennis ever since. I used to play at South Club and PTA in Calcutta, and my coach at South Club taught me a lot.
Q: You recently bagged the first prize in Indonesia and Ethiopia for doubles. How do you deal with these big wins and then how do you take home the losses?
A: Currently, I prefer to focus more on my work and process rather than dwelling on winning or losing. When I'm winning, I concentrate on the right things I'm doing. Similarly, when I'm facing a loss, I dedicate my focus to areas needing improvement. I maintain the same mindset, continuing to play match after match.
Q: What do you do during tournaments? Do you get to sightsee since there’s a lot of travelling involved?
A: Tournaments typically revolve around tennis courts, the gym, and the hotel. There's a saying on the tennis circuit: if you see too many travel and fun stories on my Instagram, it means I've had a bad tournament. So, I usually stick to tennis-related stories.
Q: What is your favourite cheat meal?
A: Anything Indian! I love Indian snacks like pani puri, pav bhaji, and all sorts of street food.
Q: How do you manage time with friends and hobbies?
A: Balancing these aspects can be tough at times. However, if I want to excel in tournaments, I need to prioritize and put in the effort. It may be challenging, but since I enjoy it, it's manageable.
Q: Do you have a good support system?
A: Yes, having a good support system is crucial for one's mental well-being during tournaments and in personal life. I'm fortunate to have very supportive parents who have encouraged me since the beginning. Their support motivates and drives me to perform well on the court.
Q: Do you think there's any luck involved? A lot of practice? Or is it a mental game?
A: I feel it's everything. I would say like, luck definitely helps a little bit. But at the same time, it's also very important how hard you're working. And I feel that the harder you work, the more luck you get on your side.
Q: What is it like being from Gen Z and also having such a hectic schedule? Are you on your phone a lot?
A: That's one thing, one habit I would like to leave. I am more active than I’d like. That's something I'm working on. Hopefully, I can reduce the time.
Q: Pick one from the ‘Big 3’ Djokovic, Federer and Nadal:
A: All three are legends. You can't pick one. But if I have to pick one, I would say Djokovic. Just because of the way he is playing. I can connect to his mindset and the things he talks about. He talks a lot about spirituality which I am inclined to. I also feel he's a great ambassador for the sport.
Q: What's next for you this calendar year?
A: I want to play a lot more tournaments. That will help me because I feel I'm physically at a good level and I have a good mindset. So the focus right now is to play as many tournaments as I can.