Pune: Marco Serucaformer professional tennis players become coaches from Portugal, he said Indian players will remain an “underdog” on the world stage because the existing ecosystem in the country does not prepare for strong competition at the highest level.
“The system here in India is quite below the par of international standards. It is not designed as every contemporary system in Europe, USA or Australia,” said Seruca while speaking to The Times of India over the phone.
The 57-year-old is moving base to India in early 2022 to help set up a high-performance center in Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association and has now established his own venture, MS Star tennis academy, in the state capital of Haryana and Punjab.
Seruca says the two years he has spent in India so far have given him enough insight into how the sport is run in the country.
“I investigate the facts, I understand the market and the current system,” he said.
“What we do here is not in line with what we do in small clubs, small academies in Italy, France, Germany, Spain, some in Denmark.
“It’s a small center that produces players, because it’s easy to identify all the needs (of players) and provide them with the support and services they need.
“India doesn’t have it yet.”
Seruca had a stellar career as a player, peaking at 696 and playing in two Davis Cups relationship — lost both. Since hanging up his shoes, he has coached players on the ITF, ATP and WTA circuits before taking a position as head of the high performance program at a club in Lisbon.
When the covid pandemic disrupted the established order, Seruca decided it was time to explore a new path, which led him to sign a two-year agreement with CLTA with the task of creating a high-performance center.
“I want to bring the best program that India has, I am that product,” he said. “There is a huge need (in India).
“I have seen the (Indian) players during the tournament, I can tell by the way they have been playing. They are not ready to be international players.
“He will be an underdog, without the tools. He was very good when he competed in India against other Indian players, but when he started playing internationally, he realized ‘oh my god, he (competitors) are better’ — technically and tactically.
“Traditionally India has been represented (in the Grand Slams). It has a million courts, but not the depth. The No. 1 player is (ranked) in the top-100, No. 2 in the 400s.”
Asked to explain his idea of ​​a system that meets international standards, Seruca highlighted one of the key factors in player development.
“The difference (between Indians and established tennis nations) is in the rhythm of play,” he said.
“When you say rhythm, it’s the speed at which you play. The technique is the same for everyone, but in the case of a well-trained player, it’s the speed at which he gets the ball, it takes time. away from the opponent.
“He can maneuver the ball from any side of the field and almost always dictates the play. If tactically you can’t be aggressive, you try to disrupt the opponent’s playing pattern, continue until you can hurt him.
“The kids here have a game. Everything in India is light, tennis is not cruel, the system is not designed for that.
“The competition is not fierce between coaches (to produce champions). The focus (of coaches/academies) is to make money, not to make money through results.
“The focus must be on quality, not holding (on) a position, not selling unrealistic projects/dreams. The environment just doesn’t exist.
“What I found in India is an interesting story. Here there are kids with talent who work harder than professionals, they do everything the coach asks, but the system doesn’t give them (the services they need).
“If there’s an 18-year-old who’s going to be great one day, but he’s training with 500,000 players in the world at his age. At least 100.”
Seruca’s disappointment probably stems from the experience he felt during his two years at CLTA.
“CLTA has the potential to develop (top pro players), has one of the best infrastructures in north India, but that is not their priority,” the Portuguese said.
“I left (in April this year) on my own because I felt that I was no longer welcome. Everything was going well until CLTA started promoting other services. So there was less motivation for me (to continue the high performance program).
“They are happy that I am leaving. They are not worried that 22 players from CLTA, all married players, leave them and join my academy. They are happy to see me out of the way.”
So what will change to help Indian players develop into major contenders?
“First of all, the government spends a lot to create better facilities. You need to ensure that children with less financial potential have more access,” he said.
“Secondly, coaching training should be more competitive, now 95 percent of the top players come from South America, Australia, Europe, the US.
“Paying more for coaches so that they can get expensive courses to make themselves more knowledgeable and at par with international standards.
“You have to create conditions so that people from abroad like me can come and add value, a hundred people like me will make the environment more conducive.
“India can be more receptive to coaches from abroad.”
“The system here in India is quite below the par of international standards. It is not designed as every contemporary system in Europe, USA or Australia,” said Seruca while speaking to The Times of India over the phone.
The 57-year-old is moving base to India in early 2022 to help set up a high-performance center in Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association and has now established his own venture, MS Star tennis academy, in the state capital of Haryana and Punjab.
Seruca says the two years he has spent in India so far have given him enough insight into how the sport is run in the country.
“I investigate the facts, I understand the market and the current system,” he said.
“What we do here is not in line with what we do in small clubs, small academies in Italy, France, Germany, Spain, some in Denmark.
“It’s a small center that produces players, because it’s easy to identify all the needs (of players) and provide them with the support and services they need.
“India doesn’t have it yet.”
Seruca had a stellar career as a player, peaking at 696 and playing in two Davis Cups relationship — lost both. Since hanging up his shoes, he has coached players on the ITF, ATP and WTA circuits before taking a position as head of the high performance program at a club in Lisbon.
When the covid pandemic disrupted the established order, Seruca decided it was time to explore a new path, which led him to sign a two-year agreement with CLTA with the task of creating a high-performance center.
“I want to bring the best program that India has, I am that product,” he said. “There is a huge need (in India).
“I have seen the (Indian) players during the tournament, I can tell by the way they have been playing. They are not ready to be international players.
“He will be an underdog, without the tools. He was very good when he competed in India against other Indian players, but when he started playing internationally, he realized ‘oh my god, he (competitors) are better’ — technically and tactically.
“Traditionally India has been represented (in the Grand Slams). It has a million courts, but not the depth. The No. 1 player is (ranked) in the top-100, No. 2 in the 400s.”
Asked to explain his idea of ​​a system that meets international standards, Seruca highlighted one of the key factors in player development.
“The difference (between Indians and established tennis nations) is in the rhythm of play,” he said.
“When you say rhythm, it’s the speed at which you play. The technique is the same for everyone, but in the case of a well-trained player, it’s the speed at which he gets the ball, it takes time. away from the opponent.
“He can maneuver the ball from any side of the field and almost always dictates the play. If tactically you can’t be aggressive, you try to disrupt the opponent’s playing pattern, continue until you can hurt him.
“The kids here have a game. Everything in India is light, tennis is not cruel, the system is not designed for that.
“The competition is not fierce between coaches (to produce champions). The focus (of coaches/academies) is to make money, not to make money through results.
“The focus must be on quality, not holding (on) a position, not selling unrealistic projects/dreams. The environment just doesn’t exist.
“What I found in India is an interesting story. Here there are kids with talent who work harder than professionals, they do everything the coach asks, but the system doesn’t give them (the services they need).
“If there’s an 18-year-old who’s going to be great one day, but he’s training with 500,000 players in the world at his age. At least 100.”
Seruca’s disappointment probably stems from the experience he felt during his two years at CLTA.
“CLTA has the potential to develop (top pro players), has one of the best infrastructures in north India, but that is not their priority,” the Portuguese said.
“I left (in April this year) on my own because I felt that I was no longer welcome. Everything was going well until CLTA started promoting other services. So there was less motivation for me (to continue the high performance program).
“They are happy that I am leaving. They are not worried that 22 players from CLTA, all married players, leave them and join my academy. They are happy to see me out of the way.”
So what will change to help Indian players develop into major contenders?
“First of all, the government spends a lot to create better facilities. You need to ensure that children with less financial potential have more access,” he said.
“Secondly, coaching training should be more competitive, now 95 percent of the top players come from South America, Australia, Europe, the US.
“Paying more for coaches so that they can get expensive courses to make themselves more knowledgeable and at par with international standards.
“You have to create conditions so that people from abroad like me can come and add value, a hundred people like me will make the environment more conducive.
“India can be more receptive to coaches from abroad.”
