Kerala Tennis Association introduces ranking system to keep players in the sport

Aishwarya Sajeev Nair, 11, makes history as the first singles champion in Kerala Tennis Association's under-12 tournament.

Just 11 and very promising, Aishwarya Sajeev Nair has won many age-group tournaments but on Sunday she stood out as tennis history was being made in Kerala at the Regional Sports Centre here.

The KTA all-Kerala under-12 tournament, which concluded on Sunday, was the Kerala Tennis Association’s (KTA) first-ever open State-ranking tournament and Aishwarya, who took the girls title, was its first singles champion.

“The KTA never had a ranking system, this is the first of our State-ranking tournaments. Only if we have a ranking system, children will be more involved,” John Nechupadom, the KTA secretary, told The Hindu.

“Tennis is one of the most difficult racket sports to pick up. If you don’t have dedicated practice of 18 to 24 months, you will not be able to play well. The learning curve is difficult.

“Most kids, if they are not focused, will give up the sport. That is why we are introducing these age-group ranking tournaments, to make them stay in the sport.”

Only one age-group, under-12, was played in the Kochi tournament and there’s a reason for that.

“Not all districts have four courts, some have just two. If we have events with all age categories, we can have tournaments in only three districts… Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Ernakulam. Smaller districts don’t have the facility,” said John.