India's No.2 singles player, teen Aryan takes baby steps into pro tennis club

Aryan Shah looked to take a step up in the hierarchy of tennis tournaments. He has largely competed in Futures events — the lowest rung meant for lower-ranked players. But since winning a Future event in Ahmedabad in March, the 19-year-old found the belief that he was ready to push himself against better players in the Challenger division.

- Shahid Judge

MUMBAI: In April, Aryan Shah looked to take a step up in the hierarchy of tennis tournaments. He has largely competed in Futures events — the lowest rung meant for lower-ranked players. But since winning a Future event in Ahmedabad in March, the 19-year-old found the belief that he was ready to push himself against better players in the Challenger division.

And in only his third main draw appearance in a Challenger, the player from Bhuj reached the quarter-finals at the event in Abidjan, Ivory Coast at April end, which helped him become the India No.2 in men's singles. However, the youngster is quick to put the achievement into perspective.

"It's a nice feeling to be the India No.2 at 19, but if I'm brutally honest, it's a shameful (world) ranking to get to this stage," Shah, the current world No.450, told HT. Sumit Nagal, the India No.1, is ranked 169.