Nitin Kirtane

My experience at the Bangkok Asian Games in 1998 was a great experience. It is always an homour to represent the country. Also, as a youngster, one of my goals was to win a medal at the Asian Games and play Davis Cup for India

The Bangkok Games were very well-organised and the people were very friendly at the Games. The opening ceremony was special, which I will never forget. Everything was in order and the hospitality at the Games village was very good. Bangkok is a crowded place, but for those two weeks they ensured that the traffic was under control, and the organizers and the normal man supported their endeavour with equal enthusiasm, paving way for a smooth conduct not only on the field but even on the streets.

Personally, I was in high spirits as I was in the top-four of the Indian National rankings at that time. Also, I had won the Nationals a few months before the Games and was doing well in the international circuit. All this was good for my confidence. Our team was also strong but Leander had pulled out due to an injury.

On the eve of the Games, India was a strong contender for the medals. So we were confident of winning a medal and would have done so if not for those two close losses to Japan. I played in the team event and the men's doubles. In the former we lost to Japan in the semi-final 0-2, losing both the singles matches. In the doubles, I played three matches in all -- against Pakistan, Qatar and Japan respectively.

I will always remember my match against the Pakistan team; it is always fun when you play them in any sport, as it pumps you up more. And despite we having won the tie I was desperate to win my match and did that. Our performances won India the bronze in the men's doubles team event.

In the men's doubles, I had teamed up with Vijay Kannan and we lost in the quarter-finals to a team from Chinese Taipei. It was an important match, as if we would have won that, we would have had another medal. However, I am happy that we won a medal in the team event.

In my free time, I met a lot of other athletes from the Indian contingent, like ace Indian hockey player Dhanraj Pillay, the golf team and the swimming teams. Also the other tennis chaps and I had the opportunity to see some other events also.

As for my view on the the current team for the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, I feel it is a strong one. We have Mahesh [Bhupathi] and Leander [Paes] back together, so it will be fun. They are the favourites for doubles event.

In the team even we are going to have tough competition from Korea, Japan and Thailand. All these are good teams, but all the Indian tennis fans are going to expect good medals from our team.

As for my chances at present of making the squad, I can only say I missed out being part of the team and can do nothing about it. But we [India] have to move forward. Good luck, India.

1998 Asian Games tennis bronze medallist Nitin Kirtane spoke to Nagraj Gollapudi.

Nitin Kirtane's major achievments:
1. Member of the Indian Davis Cup team in 1997, against Chile in Delhi and Czech Republic in Prague. And then against China in 2001.

2. Three times Men's National champion.

3. Eight times National doubles champion.

4. Member Asian Games team in Bangkok, 1998.

5. Junior Wimbledon doubles finalist in 1992 along with Mahesh Bhupati.

6. Current ATP ranking: Singles 636, doubles 670.

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