Former world junior No 1 Kristian Pless of Denmark knows that feeling first hand. Ranked No 1 in 1999, he reached three junior Grand Slam finals and captured the Australian Open crown. But once he graduated to the men’s tour the storyline changed. Injuries were a major reason for the way things unfolded and even today, as the third seed at the Challenger event in the Capital, Pless withdrew midway from his first round match against German Dieter Kindlmann after aggravating his ankle injury.

“It is very tough going from the junior to the senior tour. It’s a completely different world and extremely competitive. I worked really hard to become the top player in my country and in the world. I spent most of my time practising at the Saddlebrook Academy in Tampa and in Dubai. But injuries came in my way. I know even India has a lot of good junior players, and I can just tell them to keep trying, and it is very important to stay healthy,” he said.

But success has as much to do with mental strength as physical well-being, he added. “I didn’t really have the heart for some time, when things were not going my way. That is a significant factor,” he admitted with a wry smile.

However, despite the drawbacks, Pless has some memorable moments. And one was at the Chennai Open when upset David Nalbandian. “I have been to India many times, and that was definitely a great result. But right now, I am focused on recovering from my injury. I may not play the second week of the Challenger here, and I will be going to Thailand to put in some practice.”

Indians disappoint
Day One of the ONGC $50,000 Challenger at the DLTA Complex here today was a forgettable one for the home players, as no Indian made it to the second round. Qualifier Sunil Kumar Sipaeya failed to hold on to a first-set lead in his match against wild card Cecil Mamiit of the Phillipines, and bowed out after conceding a tough tie-break in the third set 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (4). National U-18 champion Prajnesh Gunneswaran lost to Russia’s Pavel Chekhov 6-7 (3), 4-6.

Germany’s Ranier Scheuttler has pulled out, and his place in the main draw will be taken by lucky loser Yu Xin-yuan of China. Italian Simone Bolelli, who was slated to be the top seed, has already withdrawn.