Gritty Bava wins battle of generations
At 42, he shows no signs of slowing down, consistently winning on the domestic circuit and giving the young ones a run for their money. On Monday, Nitin Kirtane was locked in close battle with a player half his age for close to three hours at the DLTA Complex. Unfortunately, crucial unforced errors cost Kirtane dear as Haadin Bava prevailed 7-5, 4-6, 7-5 in the first round of the Fenesta Open National Championship.
Bava has beaten the former Davis Cup player before but playing Kirtane is never easy. The fourth seed slices with precision from any corner of the court and being left handed gives the former national champion an added advantage. But Bava held on, running all over the court to return everything thrown his way. “It was my level of fitness that helped me win,” the 21-yearold believed. “Sir (Kirtane) is a former Davis Cup player and is playing at a high level, giving us very good competition.” After all, Kirtane has won two double crowns this year and ended runner-up at an Asian Tennis Tour tournament last week.
This is Bava’s third tournament after close to three months. It’s unheard of someone so young take that long a break but Bava had had enough of tennis. “I just wanted to be with my family for a while. So I took time off during Ramzan,” he said. “The two Futures I played before this haven’t been up to the mark (first round loss in Coimbatore and second round defeat in Chennai). I’ve been working on my fitness which has helped but I need to up my game after the break.”
He teamed up with coach Birbal Wadhera recently, who travels with him on the circuit. Wadhera was vocal in the stands, egging his ward on when humidity was draining both players on court.
Indians often go to Spain to train and Bava’s no different. He used to train in Alicante to sharpen his game and has plans of going there later this year too but the aim is to set up base in India. “It can be anywhere in India but I want to be here. I don’t like staying away from family for lengthy periods,” smiled the ‘family man’.