Jeevan Nendunchezhiyan from Chennai, which is the home town of great Indian tennis players like Ramesh Krishnan, Ramanathan Krishnan and Amritraj has qualified for the Wimbeldon starting next Monday. The 28-year-old will play along side his 20-year-old American partner, Jared Donaldson in the men’s doubles category.
Jeevan had initially qualified for the event with South Korea’s Hyeon Chung. However, an ankle injury to Hyeon ruled him out of the tournament, hence also ruling out Jeevan’s dream. The 20-year-old Donaldson came to rescue Jeevan’s dream and also, the pair-with a combined ranking of 160 -made the cut-off mark of 160 by the skin of their teeth.
When asked about Donaldson joining him, Jeevan said,”Our participation in the tournament was confirmed on Monday after Donaldson expressed an interest in partnering me. His ranking is 65 and mine is 95. So we just made the cut-off mark. It’s a special feeling to play at Wimbledon. It’s a dream come true. I’m thrilled to have got such a massive opportunity. I was definitely dejected after Hyeon’s injury. But I was glad that he informed me well in advance so that I could look for another partner.”
Jeevan is currently playing alongside Matt Reid at Eastbourne currently, and they have started off well beating reigning French Open champions Ryan Harrison and Michael Venus in the first round on Monday.
The player though does understand that he needs to make a bond with his partner. “I have already spoken to Donaldson. It’s important that we get talking regularly to get together as a unit. He is playing singles at Eastbourne. Once the tournament finishes, we will work overtime and train together so that we give ourselves the best chance of success at Wimbledon.