Son of parents from Assam and Andhra, New Jersey boy is the rage of tennis fans in two nations
Son of a father hailing from Assam and a mother from Andhra Pradesh, Samir Banerjee, a 17-year-old Indian American boy from New Jersey is the new Wimbledon junior champ.
Participating in only his second Grand Slam tournament, Banerjee beat Victor Lilov in an all-American final on No. 1 Court on Sunday (July 11) to win the Wimbledon boys’ singles title in London.
Banerjee, an unseeded player who didn’t have a coach or his regular trainer with him at the tournament, beat Lilov 7-5, 6-3 and lost three sets in all of his matches at the All England Club.
“I was saying ‘are you kidding me’. I said it three or four times. I just couldn’t believe it. I was in shock, and then that shock turned into happiness, and then I got excited. It just made me very happy,” he told The Indian Express.
He previously competed in the French Open, but “he lost to a good player,” according to his uncle Kanad, in an opening-round loss, lowering expectations in London.
Banerjee, who has captured the attention of fans from two nations, wasn’t too conscious of his roots before, he “definitely felt it today.”
“Just looking into the crowd, there were a lot of Indians there, supporting me a lot. I really appreciated that. Some were shouting very loudly, some asked me for photographs afterwards,” he was quoted as saying.
“I’m obviously not from India, I’m American. But having Indian relatives and parents, it makes me appreciate the culture and everything that goes with it.”
Read: Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal qualifies for 2019 US Open Singles (August 24, 2019)
Four Indian players have won Junior Grand Slam titles: Yuki Bhambri (2009 Australian Open), Leander Paes (Wimbledon 1990 and US Open 1991), Ramesh Krishnan (French Open and Wimbledon 1979) and Ramanathan Krishnan (Wimbledon 1954).
“I was contemplating if I could compete at the Grand Slam level because this is where the best players in the world are. I just wanted to get my foot in the door and win one round,” Banerjee told the Express.
“Then I won another and I started building confidence. I had more belief in my game. And then I found myself in the final and I played my best tennis today,”
However, Sunday came with its share of nerves. Banerjee recalls waking up earlier than usual, and carrying the anxiety till the third game. It was his second service game and it lasted 16 points before he could hold serve.
“I think we were both nervous in the start, we were just trying to get a feel. But that game helped me loosen up and take my chances,” he told the Express.
Then, Banerjee held the most important service game of his life so far — for the title. “It sounds unbelievable and it just hasn’t sunk in yet. It’s crazy to think that I’ve achieved that,” he said.
The 6-ft-2 teenager has the tendency of coming up to the net to finish points early, and that’s why grass courts suit his playing style. But at the same time, his approach is measured and effective.
Read: Three Indian players win doubles titles at Wimbledon 2015 (July 13, 2015)
On Sunday, he won 17 of his 19 approach shots. “He has very good and quick hands, and impressive touch-play,” India Davis Cup player N Sriram Balaji, who had trained with Banerjee in Germany last month, told the Express.
“He likes coming up to the net, which is something very unusual for young players who like to stay at the baseline. But he’s got the mentality to back himself up at the net and that makes a big difference. Besides, on grass, volleying is key,” Balaji said.
This time, Banerjee had also come with an improved forehand. “His backhand is a weapon but he was neutral on the forehand. The coach worked with him and he learnt how and when to pull the trigger,” Balaji said.
Now expected to take a break from the tour to enroll at Columbia University for a degree in either economics or political science, Banerjee is still contemplating his decision to enter the US college tennis stream, the Express said.
Read: Wimbledon: Indian-origin American Samir Banerjee wins the boys singles title (July 11, 2021)
“I have to re-evaluate my options. I’m playing well and this is a really good stepping stone. I’m going to play more professional tournaments to see where I stand, but as of now college is definitely in the picture,” Banerjee told the Express.
“I think it’ll be a good step for me, but this is a good step to the pro route. I’ll have to make a decision later on because I still have another year before I go to college,” he said.
Vijay Amritraj, the Indian tennis legend, has also complimented Banerjee, calling it a “wonderful triumph” and wishing him all the best for future.