Tennis champ Yasitha de Silva sees a silver lining | Sunday Observer

Tennis champ Yasitha de Silva sees a silver lining

2 January, 2022
Yasitha de Silva in action during the Nationals
Yasitha de Silva in action during the Nationals

Yasitha de Silva emerged men’s singles tennis champion at the Nationals for the second time but will not rest on his laurels or let his guard down as he aims to continue for many more years.

This year De Silva also won the doubles title after a short break with partner Dineshkanthan Thangaraja having won the doubles title at the National championships in 2016 and ’17 as well. But the 26-year old De Silva will be the first to acknowledge that unless he is exposed to more international meets he will not be able to raise his present standard.

Being employed full time at MAS Holdings and studying for a Masters degree at the University of Colombo with the final exam this year, Yasitha is also able to be addicted to training more with the Davis Cup players than with the regular national tennis pool.

"I want to be a member of the Davis Cup team this year also and help Sri Lanka gain a promotion to Group Three this time," said De Silva.

Sri Lanka was demoted to Group Four after losing the Davis Cup tie last year.

Currently De Silva is training under Niranjan Cassie Chetty who has helped him rise to his present standard. He is also under the watchful eyes of Priyantha Fernando who is also employed at MAS and has been helpful in obtain free time to attend training whenever he is called up to attend pool training.

“I do as much training as possible and I somehow find the time for it. Fernando has been very helpful to speak on my behalf whenever I want to go for training,” said De Silva.

“Tennis looks good in the future in Sri Lanka as there is a high performance training program set up and many young and talented players are given the opportunity to enhance their standards. They will also get the opportunity to travel overseas to participate in tournaments and obtain ranking points that will help them to participate in more tournaments around the world,” said De Silva when asked how he sees the future of tennis in Sri Lanka.

 

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