NAGPUR: Kashit Nagrale created history on Saturday by becoming the first tennis player from Nagpur to win an ITF Junior Circuit title. He achieved the remarkable feat in Colombo, Sri Lanka, by securing J30 Colombo ITF Junior Circuit title. Remarkably, Kashit didn't drop a set in the tournament.
The 16-year-old Kashit, who was unseeded, shocked the third seed Artur Aiukhanov of Russia in straight sets 7-5, 6-2 in the final. Kashit showed a lot of character after suffering dehydration, fever, and vomiting a few hours before the title decider. The final was the longest match Kashit played in the tourney.
Kashit feels he has learnt a lot during his first international tour. "It is a great feeling to finish on the top. It was a different experience playing against top-rated players from other countries. Being unwell, I had decided to just focus on the ball and ignore everything else. These thoughts helped me stay on my toes," said Kashit while talking to TOI from Colombo. It was also Kashit's first ITF final.
Kashit is eyeing top-125 ITF Junior ranking in the near future. The reason maximum players eye top-125 ranks is that it helps them stay in contention for top-rated junior international tournaments. The result in Colombo is a major step in this direction.
Currently, the Nagpur boy is practicing at Ahmedabad-based Alexander Waske Tennis University, a professional academy that has produced many top-rated players. Within a year of moving to Ahmedabad, Kashit has played three ITF junior tournaments in India and achieved a semifinal finish in the one played in Dehradun in April.
During his growing years, Kashit took training from Santosh Chatterjee and Ajay Neware. Chatterjee, a renowned tennis coach in Nagpur, still helps Kashit whenever he needs guidance.
