Fortunately for me, Sanil would be in Mumbai during our stay. And for the icing on the cake, Sachin Shetty, Sanil's brother and one of India's Junior National Team coaches, arranged for my brother and I to play at Khar Gymkhana, a multi-sports facility where many of India's top table tennis players, including Sanil, train. At the training session, I met Sanil, a 25 year old left-handed looper. And besides watching his wicked loops in awe, I had the opportunity to talk to him about table tennis as well as his life in general.
I hope you enjoy getting to know Sanil!
Quick facts about Sanil Shetty:
Highest USATT rating 2636 (from 2011)
Highest world ranking - #218 for Men
Currently ranked 4th in India
2014 India Men's National Champion
2013 Commonwealth Games Silver Medalist - Men's Teams
2010 U.S. Open Gold Medalist - Under 21
2007 India Junior National Champion (Under 17)
2004 India Sub Junior National Champion (Under 14)
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| With Sanil Shetty at Khar Gymkhana, Mumbai, India |
1. How did you get started with table tennis?
I can say it is in my blood. My dad played for the bank that he worked for and my older brother, Sachin, played at the national level. But the main reason I started to play is that one day my brother brought home a very big trophy. Looking at it, I had the desire to win similar trophies. So the very next day, I joined a table tennis training camp. I was 9 years old at that time.
2. What equipment do you currently use?
Blade: Timo Boll ALC
Forehand rubber: Tenergy 05
Backhand rubber: Tenergy 64
3. Please tell us about your training routine. Also, have you trained overseas, or only in India?
When I am in India, I train Monday to Friday for 6 hours a day. In addition, I do fitness training for an hour 5 days a week. About two years ago, I started playing overseas. Last year I played for Frysztak-based Strzelec, a first division Polish club and this year I will be playing in Germany.
4. What are your goals with regards to table tennis?
As you know, cricket is the most popular game in India. Therefore, I would definitely like to make table tennis more popular in India. Also, I would like to be top 10 in the world and represent India well in the Olympics.
5. What do you consider as the proudest moment of your table tennis career?
Without a doubt, winning the 2014 Men's National Championship.
6. Tell us about what you consider as the most intense match that you have ever played.
I would say the 2013 German Open. I beat Ruwen Filus of Germany (world #73) and eventually, ended up in the Men's round of 64. In that round, I lost to Taku Takakiwa of Japan (world #30) in a very close match. But the highlight was getting compliments for how I played from my idol, the legendary Timo Boll. My performance at the German Open gave me a lot of confidence. Right after, I returned to India to win the National Championship. (At the time of the 2013 German Open, Sanil was ranked #310 in the world.)
8. Who is your favorite international table tennis player? Why?
Mizutani Jun. I like the way he controls the ball. It almost seems like he has magic in his hands.
9. Couple of rapid fire questions:
Talent or hard work? Hard work
Who has best chance to win - player with skills or player with confidence? Player with confidence
21 point games or 11 point games? 11 point games
Poly ball or celluloid ball? Celluloid ball
More drills or more matches? More matches
To cho, or not to cho? To cho
Blade: Timo Boll ALC
Forehand rubber: Tenergy 05
Backhand rubber: Tenergy 64
3. Please tell us about your training routine. Also, have you trained overseas, or only in India?
When I am in India, I train Monday to Friday for 6 hours a day. In addition, I do fitness training for an hour 5 days a week. About two years ago, I started playing overseas. Last year I played for Frysztak-based Strzelec, a first division Polish club and this year I will be playing in Germany.
4. What are your goals with regards to table tennis?
As you know, cricket is the most popular game in India. Therefore, I would definitely like to make table tennis more popular in India. Also, I would like to be top 10 in the world and represent India well in the Olympics.
5. What do you consider as the proudest moment of your table tennis career?
Without a doubt, winning the 2014 Men's National Championship.
6. Tell us about what you consider as the most intense match that you have ever played.
It would have to be the finals match against Harmeet Desai at the National Championships in 2014. It was 2 - 2 and I was down 4 - 10. I fought hard and won the game and eventually, won the match and the Men's title.
7. Do you have a favorite tournament? Why?I would say the 2013 German Open. I beat Ruwen Filus of Germany (world #73) and eventually, ended up in the Men's round of 64. In that round, I lost to Taku Takakiwa of Japan (world #30) in a very close match. But the highlight was getting compliments for how I played from my idol, the legendary Timo Boll. My performance at the German Open gave me a lot of confidence. Right after, I returned to India to win the National Championship. (At the time of the 2013 German Open, Sanil was ranked #310 in the world.)
8. Who is your favorite international table tennis player? Why?
Mizutani Jun. I like the way he controls the ball. It almost seems like he has magic in his hands.
9. Couple of rapid fire questions:
Talent or hard work? Hard work
Who has best chance to win - player with skills or player with confidence? Player with confidence
21 point games or 11 point games? 11 point games
Poly ball or celluloid ball? Celluloid ball
More drills or more matches? More matches
To cho, or not to cho? To cho
10. What do you like to do when you are not playing table tennis?
Hangout with friends or play pool.
Hangout with friends or play pool.
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Thanks for your time, Sanil. Also a big shout out to Rajul Sheth for connecting me with the Indian team and to Kamlesh Mehta, Sachin Shetty, and many Indian juniors who trained with me for the week.