Vijay Amritraj has been the jack of many trades. Whether it’s tennis or Hollywood, he has been at the forefront of paving the way for generations to come. In a candid chat with Society, the beaming tennis legend talks about his disappointment with the current tennis scene in India, his aspirations for his son and a lot more…
He has been one of the pioneers of Indian tennis, who almost made it to the final of a Grand Slam, back in 1973 – a feat not achieved by any Indian tennis player in Singles. Known for his ‘tall-dark-handsome’ looks and his winning partnership with brother Anand Amritraj, India’s foremost tennis player Vijay Amritraj looked as fit as ever when we met him in the plush lobby of a city’s five star recently.
We are ushered into an antechamber where the tennis great is dressed simply in a pale red bush shirt paired with grey pants. He beckons us with a huge smile and settles to start the conversation with his thoughts on the current tennis scene in the country.
Amritraj rues the fact that tennis has gone downhill in India. After players like Leander Paes, Sania Mirza, Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna to some extent, no new talent is coming forward except for a Yuki Bhambri and my son Prakash Amritraj, who are doing rather well. Why is tennis in such a dismal state in the country, we ask? “The younger talent needs to be groomed and given support to make a mark in the international arena and that is not happening, as there are very few tennis academies in India. Good, talented players should be put through a programme,” he opines.
This story is from the April 2018 edition of SOCIETY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2018 edition of SOCIETY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Ending Is The New Beginning
Pakistani author Sara Naveed writes on what’s considered a minority genre in her home turf. She discusses her love for writing romances…
Writing On A Wet Wall
Sudha Murty Speaks about her avatar as a bestselling children's writer
Three Friends, One Love!
Find out how love for fashion brought three close friends to start the pret label, LoveGen…
Summer Diet For Kids
WITH the arrival of the summer months and rising temperature each passing day, it really becomes a daunting task to keep a strict check on children’s health and maintain a proper check of their food intake.
Real Life Heroes
Raveena Tandon Thadani and Dr Aneel Murarka unveiled the Bharat Prerna Awards magazine amidst much appreciation and applause
Man Of Action
Magna Lounge was buzzing with excitement when the irresistibly hunky actor Vidyut Jammwal, dressed in a maroon body hugging t-shirt and black pants, dropped in to unveil the April 2017 issue of Health & Nutrition, the cover of which he had graced.
Ira
Theatre has never failed Bollywood in providing a continuous and talented supply of actors who have contributed adequately to make every film a delight. One such actor is Ira Dubey, who was born with theatre in her blood, but is now enjoying her stint in films too.
acting matters
you may remember her as the wheelchair bound character opposite amitabh bachchan in the film, te3n, but there is more to the versatile padmavati rao than just that role. find out more…
the leading lady
aishwaryaa rajnikanth dhanush has been appointed as the un women’s advocate for gender equality and women’s empowerment in india. society catches up with the glamorous lady on the high profile opportunity and her other creative undertakings
mother t our lord's bride in white sari!
even as mother teresa got canonised amidst much fanfare recently, here is an interview the selfless and humble nun gave society in december 1982
