Rithvik Bollipalli Celebrates Chile Open Victory, Eyes Continued Success
Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli won the Chile Open doubles title, making history as the first Indian to do so on Latin clay. At 24 years old, he highlights his hard work and the importance of his partner Nicolas Barrientos. He reflects on the challenges of maintaining consistency and his commitment to improving his performance in tennis.
Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli, having recently clinched the Chile Open doubles title alongside Colombia’s Nicolas Barrientos, expressed his satisfaction with his continued progress in tennis. The 24-year-old from Hyderabad became the first Indian to win an ATP title on Latin clay by defeating the top-seeded Argentine duo, Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni, with a score of 6-3, 6-2. Rithvik attributed this success to the hard work he has dedicated over the past year.
Reflecting on his historic victory, Rithvik stated, “It is an amazing feeling. I have been working really hard and it is paying off now.” He highlighted the significance of winning on clay, a surface he has not frequently competed on, while acknowledging how altitude possibly aided his performance. “Great to know that I am the first Indian to win a title on Latin clay,” he remarked.
Rithvik expressed gratitude towards his partner Barrientos, stating, “My partner is a great guy and very hard working. I just want to keep the momentum going and keep doing the right things.” He mentioned his search for a long-term partner since Arjun Kadhe’s injury and described the challenges of frequently changing partners.
His experience at the Australian Open with partner Ryan Seggerman was memorable, marking his first Grand Slam appearance. “It was my maiden Grand Slam and more than thinking that I was playing with someone new, I enjoyed playing there since I grew up watching that Slam,” he recalled, further noting Seggerman’s depth of experience in the sport.
Evaluating his transition from singles to doubles, Rithvik cited a past back injury and a realization of his greater aptitude in doubles as contributing factors. His debut in the Davis Cup against Togo was very rewarding, as he won alongside his admired partner N. Sriram Balaji, stating that the experience was special due to the supportive crowd.
Rithvik commenced his tennis journey under coach C.V. Nagraj at the School of Power Tennis, praising the discipline instilled during his formative years. His passion for the game remains, acknowledging his continual learning from others and his openness to feedback, which has helped him improve significantly over the past year.
When discussing the future depth of doubles in Indian tennis, Rithvik credited coaches Raven Klassen and Balachandran Manikkath for their guidance, as well as the essential support from the physiotherapy staff. He acknowledged the challenges of maintaining routine training over months and years but expressed determination in overcoming these obstacles. “The jumps from Top 100 to 70 to 50 and 30 are very tough, but we have to be prepared for the challenges,” he noted.
Rithvik maintains realistic goals, asserting that his primary focus is on self-improvement as a player. He stated, “The realistic goal is to keep improving as a player and in the process, win the events to get the ranking which should help me in playing the tournaments I love to play. Hope, all good things will lead to see this happen.”
In summary, Rithvik Bollipalli’s recent victory at the Chile Open highlights his growth in tennis and determination to maintain his momentum. His success serves as a testament to the extensive effort put forth in recent years and signals a promising future for the young athlete. With realistic goals focused on improvement, Rithvik looks forward to continuing his journey in the sport, emphasizing the influence of supportive coaches and collaborators.
Original Source: sportstar.thehindu.com
