Ramkumar Ramanathan is eager to represent his country and has no qualms about travelling to Pakistan for India’s next Davis Cup World Group I playoff match, to be played in Islamabad on February 3-4.
In the city to take part in the Premjit Lall Invitational Tennis tournament, organised by the Jaidip Mukerjea Tennis Academy, Ramkumar beat local player Ishaque Eqbal 6-0, 6-2 in the final on Friday.
Business done, a relaxed Ramkumar then sat down for a chat with The Telegraph.
“I want to represent my country under any circumstances and I have no problem travelling to Pakistan. I don’t know why some others don’t want to go and can’t comment on why in the past we didn’t go. It is not up to me to comment on security issues. I will go and play wherever it is needed.
“I know Aisam (Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi) very well. I met Aqeel (Aqeel Khan, Pakistan’s No.1 player) during the Asian Games.”
The matches will be played on the grass courts of the Pakistan Sports Complex. “I am comfortable on grass. In fact, most of the team are used to playing on grass,” he added.
Apart from Ramkumar, Yuki Bhambri, N. Sriram Balaji, Saketh Myneni, Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha and Digvijay Pratap Singh (reserve) make up the Davis Cup squad, with Rohit Rajpal as captain and Zeeshan Ali as coach.
India will be without the now-retired Rohan Bopanna and top singles players Sumit Nagal and Mukund Sasikumar who had expressed their reluctance to be considered for the team.
India are set to travel to Pakistan for the first time since 1964. They last played Pakistan at a neutral venue in 2019 and won 4-0.
“Playing Pakistan in Pakistan will not be easy. On paper we are a much stronger team. But they too can put up a tough fight. But I believe in giving my best and that is what I will be doing,” Ramkumar said of India’s chances in the February tie.
Plagued by injuries this year, Ramkumar, who was once ranked 111 in singles in the world, said: “I am ranked below 400 now (440). I was injured and that took a toll. But I am happy to say that I am getting my rhythm back.”
Unlike many Indians, Ramkumar still wants to concentrate on singles rather than take up doubles full-time. “Yes, many have shifted to doubles. It is a little easier physically. But right now, my focus is on singles.”
