24-year-old Sumit Lal will use the Tennis Nations Cup as a platform to book in a place in the team to the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands later this year.
Lal finished sixth in the Nations Cup last year and aims to better his standing in the men’s single event in Samoa in September.
“Tennis is a sport that I have been playing since I was five years old so I know a lot about it but it’s not easy at the same time. Fitness and knowledge are the two key things a player must have in order to participate.”
“I have played for Fiji locally in the Fiji Open and also in the Easter Cup while I have featured in the Nations Cup as well. I think when we play against international opponents, we get to know more about the sport and learn from them at the same time.”
The Junior Tennis assistant coach said booking a spot in the national trials is a key focus for him right now.
“I have never played in the Pacific Games and that’s my aim this year. I have played in the Nations Cup where teams from every Pacific country come and the competition is really tough.”
“Once I get into the national team trials, from there I can build more onto my game and focus on the Pacific Games. Fiji has never won Gold in Tennis in the Pacific Games and I have taken up that challenge to make my country proud in the men’s single.”
“The selection for the trials will be done after the Fiji Open and also the Nations Cup will assist players in giving their best because Pacific Games is a competition every tennis player wants to participate in because there, the competition is on another level.”
Lal added that he is currently working on his fitness and will take the Nations Cup as a build-up toward the Pacific Games.
“I left Tennis for a while but now I have got back to the sport and it’s a bit difficult because I’m out of shape and in tennis stamina and breath are key.”
“I just play Tennis so I train daily with the coaches and as a coach myself; I keep practicing what I teach the junior players on the court.”
“I have already started to train and I can feel some difference in my fitness and also my playing style. I have always been playing the men’s single you are playing with only one opponent.”
