Arjun Kadhe ticked one long-pending box in his career as he won the National hard court men’s singles title in his fourth final-appearance at the Tennis Project stadium in Gurugram on Sunday.
Kadhe, 27, defeated Railways’ Prithvi Sekhar from Chennai 6-3, 6-4 to complete a championship set, having won the men’s doubles title as well as singles and doubles trophies in all the junior categories.
Telangana’s Shrivalli Rashmika upset the form book as she got the better of top seed Vaidehi Chaudhari 6-2, 7-6 (2) to claim the women’s crown.
For Pune lad Kadhe, who had touched a career-high ATP singles ranking of 328 three years ago, the triumph was an emotional one.
“This means a lot to me because I have played three finals (before) and this was the fourth. This tag will be with me forever,” he said.
“I have won the Under-14, -16, -18 singles and doubles titles, and the men’s doubles. I really wanted this one. It really feels nice to be the national champion.
“All the (past) losses hurt equally. But the latest one stays in your memory, most fresh. I have always performed well in the Nationals but this was one thing I really wanted.
“I am really happy for my parents, my coach and everyone. This was long time coming, I am glad it is behind me now.”
Niki Poonacha, dethroned as singles champion, had the consolation of winning the doubles title with Anirudh Chandrasekar.
Sai Samhitha won the doubles title in partnership with Rishika Sunkara, beating the top seeds Soha Sadiq and Saumya Vig in two tight sets.
Kadhe, 27, defeated Railways’ Prithvi Sekhar from Chennai 6-3, 6-4 to complete a championship set, having won the men’s doubles title as well as singles and doubles trophies in all the junior categories.
Telangana’s Shrivalli Rashmika upset the form book as she got the better of top seed Vaidehi Chaudhari 6-2, 7-6 (2) to claim the women’s crown.
For Pune lad Kadhe, who had touched a career-high ATP singles ranking of 328 three years ago, the triumph was an emotional one.
“This means a lot to me because I have played three finals (before) and this was the fourth. This tag will be with me forever,” he said.
“I have won the Under-14, -16, -18 singles and doubles titles, and the men’s doubles. I really wanted this one. It really feels nice to be the national champion.
“All the (past) losses hurt equally. But the latest one stays in your memory, most fresh. I have always performed well in the Nationals but this was one thing I really wanted.
“I am really happy for my parents, my coach and everyone. This was long time coming, I am glad it is behind me now.”
Niki Poonacha, dethroned as singles champion, had the consolation of winning the doubles title with Anirudh Chandrasekar.
Sai Samhitha won the doubles title in partnership with Rishika Sunkara, beating the top seeds Soha Sadiq and Saumya Vig in two tight sets.