Manas Dhamne Can Become Mr. Dependable of Indian Tennis: Davis Cup Coach Ashutosh Singh

Manas Dhamne could be answer to Indian tennis' desperate search for 'Mr Dependable', reckons new Davis Cup coach Ashutosh Singh, who is mighty impressed with teenr's diligent approach and workmanlike attitude.

Ashutosh, who replaced Zeeshan Ali as coach, observed youngster from Malegaon in Stockholm, where India competed in Davis Cup Group I tie against Sweden.

Dhamne, 16, did t get to play a match but was part of squad that travelled to Stockholm along with ar youngster, Aryan Shah.

It was a clear sign that team manment and selectors wanted Dhamne and Shah to have Davis Cup experience, what it means to be with national squad and what it takes to represent country at World Cup of tennis.

While India were bested 0-4 by hosts, coach Ashutosh chose to see a silver lining in forgettable outing in Sweden.

"Manas is a quintessential hard worker with a workman like attitude," said Ashutosh, who is son of former Davis Cupper Balram Singh.

"He just makes eye contact and ds 'ok' for any on-court work he's asked to do.

He has potential to become Mr Dependable in singles that Indian tennis has long been searching for," remarked Ashutosh.

"Of course it's miles to go but road he's taken looks possible with his diligent approach. One has to keep in mind that Manas is only 16 and does need careful supervision in certain aspects of his workload manment but it seems he's in experienced hands at his training base in Italy." India have just one player in top-100 in Sumit Nagal (83) and next best is Ramkumar Ramanathan, way behind at number 309, followed by Sasi Kumar Mukund (365). All ors are outside top-500 bracket.

Dhamne initially trained in Pune but left for Italy to train with rewned coach Riccardo Piatti at Piatti Tennis Center in Bordighera.

Dhamne made a quick impression when he won singles titles at ITF Asia-Oceania Junior (Under-18) championships in 2022, becoming youngest Indian to win prestigious event at 14 years and nine months.

A year later, he was given a wild card by MSLTA for Tata Open Maharashtra , ATP250 event, and again he impressed with his baseline game and range of strokes against American Mihale Mmoh, who was ranked 113 n.

In season 2024, Dhamne has consistently competed on ITF Men's Tour. He himself has t yet broken into top-1000 but already has wins over Nicholas David Ionel (378) Japanese veteran Tatsuma Ito (top-60 a few years back) and Romania's Vlad Dancu (ranked 565).

Ashutosh said India may have lost badly in Sweden but t everything was bleak.

" main thing is to keep main thing as main thing. I want to bring to forefront excitement that debuts of two young tennis players, which has largely gone unticed due to or important discussions going on." Talking about Aryan Shah, Ashutosh said he was a "skilful" player.

"Aryan is hard working and a quick learner with an enterprising head on his shoulders. Being inquisitive is a good indication of erness of a young mind to learn, Aryan definitely checks that box.

"Alongside Manas, he brings much-needed unbridled energy of youth into team. Having played all four junior grand slams in singles, he has foundation of top tier exposure to firmly understand points of his game he needs to work on." Ashutosh had an interesting take on how India's junior players approach domestic tournaments.

He said it was worrying that many players, equipped with talent and game, were t succeeding, simply because y were burning mselves out by playing more tournaments than necessary.

"Till U12, players shouldn't play more than 12 weeks. U14 also should be 15-16 weeks because each player plays two groups, and y end playing almost 30-40 weeks per year. So, re is time for working on game and fitness.

“Over exposure to competition leads to early burut. Low quality inconsequential matches are played throughout year.”