Well-known tennis player in Sri Lanka, Harshana Godamanna announced his retirement from the game last week.
“I am proud and happy to announce that I am officially retiring from Davis Cup competitions. Since 2002, I have given all I can to keep the Sri Lankan flag flying high. I was lucky to play for this long with over 20 different team mates along the way.
I thank all my teammates for the endless memories we’ve created together and also, to all the Captains I’ve had. It’s always a team effort in Davis Cup matches, and I will miss these moments. I am confident that we have a strong line up of young players to take over. I will take the back seat and guide them as much as I can,” he stated in his retirement message.
The Youth Observer caught up with him to discuss his career.
Q: Harshana, was this your last Davis Cup qualifying round tournament?
A: Yes. This was my last Davis Cup. I will never represent my country again. I have represented the country for a couple of decades and played to the best of my ability. Now it is time to retire from the game and youngsters should come forward to take my place.
Q: This time the Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group Four (A) matches were held on our home soil. What did you feel about your performance?
A: This is my country. I have played in these courts as a child and a young man. But after leaving school I went to the USA and settled there. Ending my tennis career on my home soil was marvelous experience and feeling for me.
Q: In your younger days we saw your skills here. Now you are not only a matured player but you have also aged. Has your speed or attitude to the game changed as well?
A: I am now 37 years old and a father. Like I said previously I am now settled in USA. I play tennis there and coach students as well. So the tennis racket is a part of me.
Q: What happened this time in the Asia Oceania Group four matches?
A: We won the tournament and became top of our group. I won every match that I played. The matches were played on a clay surface.
Q: Is it true that Sri Lanka has been promoted to the next group?
A: Yes. After we won our group matches, we received a promotion to the next group. Next time we will play in Asia/Oceania Group III.
Q: When will the Group III stage tournament be held?
A: It will be held next year. Sri Lanka will play in Group three as a new team. I am sad that I did not get an opportunity to play in Group three. But that is life.
Q: Now let me come to your playing style. You are a left hander?
A: Yes. I am a left-handed player.
Q: Could you tell me something about your beginnings in tennis?
A: I started at the age of three. My elder brother and sister were involved in the game and I followed them. At first I was unable to hold the racket properly. However, I was able to overcome it and progress gradually.
Q: Tennis has helped you in life?
A: Yes it has. Tennis has helped me to find success in life.
Q: Could you share details about your life in the States?
A: Well I am a full time tennis coach in the States. It is very enjoyable profession. I have followed many tennis coaching programs and this my way of giving back to the game and you also get to meet many people on the courts.
Q: What is your advice to young players?
A: I believe to excel in tennis you have to be a student of the game rather than a mere player. If you want to reach your highest potential, you have to learn everything about the game. Strokes are as important as strategy. I think our players have good technique, but they can improve a lot on the tactical part of the game.
Q: Endurance is the most powerful thing in tennis. How could players step up their endurance?
A: The game of tennis is becoming more physical. Now it is at a point where all players have to focus on their fitness as much as their strokes and tactics. But the best endurance is to give 100% effort at practice and run down balls that bounce beyond the lines as well. This will help you become faster and believe you can get to any ball.
Q: Could you say something about your future activities?
A: I will never forget tennis. I love the game deeply. So I want to give something for younger players in our country. I hope to impart my knowledge to them in the near future.
Q: How do you feel now that you have announced your retirement?
A: I think what I like about tennis is that I can play for the rest of my life. Having said that, I understand that I can’t play at a very competitive level all my life. I think I have done my best over the years and now it is time to focus on coaching and giving back to the sport.
Q: The final question. Do you wish to say something for your fans worldwide?
A: I thank my Parents and Family for all the sacrifices they have made and letting me live the dream I had as a kid. They trusted me, invested in me and gave me the opportunity to learn and grow to be the player and the person I am today. This sport taught me more than just the sport. It taught me life lessons and lots of values of life. As well as I thank my coaches, Sylvester Francis and Dominik Utzinger, my one and only sponsor Wilson.
Thilak Meddegoda and Rasika Meddegoda. I also, thank Gihan Perera for silently voluntarily supporting me for years. Lots of great memories. Finally, thank you to SLTA for giving me unmatched support from my early years of the Davis Cup. And big Thank you to all the tennis fans who turned up to support the Sri Lanka team.
