At a young age of fifteen, Tejas Shevde is a busy lad. Astudent of class tenth of Bhatikar Model High School, Margao, Tejas has chalkedout a daily schedule that helps him balance his studies and maintain hisfitness levels along with giving ample time for regular practice on the tenniscourt. His love for Roger Federer cannot be missed “ be it the ‘RF’ initials onhis T-Shirt or the ability of playing single-handed backhand, much similar tohis role model. His maturity can be figured from the fact that despite winningnumerous tournaments in India and abroad, he hasn’t yet participated in anyranking tournament in India. Tejas defends, “I’m aiming for the number one andI didn’t want to attempt unprepared.”
Tejas’ fascination for tennis made him try it out at the ageof eight, after enjoying watching tournaments on the TV. His father, an avidtennis fan, started teaching him the basics by observing masters play the game.At nine, Tejas participated in his first tennis tournament in Maharashtra wherehe lost in the semi-finals. The following year, he played the Under-12 AITA tournament to win the doubles with hispartner from Maharashtra and lost in quarter finals in the singles category.
However, his big break came at the age of 11 when he wasspotted by tennis coaches from Hyderabad when they were in the state to scoutfor talent. They expressed a desire to take him to Hyderabad and then to US forbetter prospects to which Tejas’ parents readily agreed. The following threemonths were spent training in Hyderabad only to enjoy the next three months inthe US watching the US Open and training with the coaches there. When heparticipated in the JP Morgan Chase Aces tournament, his victory over acompetent Spaniard in straight sets to clinch the title reassured the faith ofhis coaches in him. His second tournament in the US “ a tournament organised by United StatesProfessional Tennis Association (USPTA) followed suit and Tejas emergedvictorious.
Tejas pays his gratitude to his father and his coach NathanChowgule for shaping him up and help him improve his skills. Before signingoff, he says, “I have great respect for my coach. I always get to learn newthings from him. He is better than the best coach in India. I want to be thebest player in the world and I’m sure I will.”
