Mumbai: Dhakshineswar’s Davis Cup Triumph

Dhakshineswar Suresh clinched his debut Davis Cup victory for India against Switzerland with an impressive ace. He used the same skill to secure Wake Forest University’s 2025 NCAA Division I men’s team championship in May.

Standing at 6’5″, Dhakshineswar’s powerful serve and aggressive play, well-suited to the indoor hard courts of Biel, convinced India captain Rohit Rajpal to elevate him to the singles slot. Ranked 626th, he upset the 155th-ranked Jerome Kym, giving India a crucial 1-0 lead and setting the stage for a rare European away Davis Cup victory.

“I try to play my style of game as much as possible,” Dhakshineswar, 25, mentioned from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he resides.

The transformation to a serve-focused game wasn’t immediate for Dhakshineswar, who trained in Chennai. Although not particularly tall during his teenage years, his potential was recognized by coach Rajeev Vijayakumar and mentor Somdev Devvarman at the Aspire Tennis Academy.

“People suggested that with my height, I should adopt a different style of play. I needed to be more aggressive and not just rally,” Dhakshineswar shared.

He drew inspiration from players like Nick Kyrgios and John Isner to develop a stronger first strike.

His growth faced setbacks due to injuries and the Covid pandemic. Without sufficient resources, Dhakshineswar followed Devvarman’s advice to pursue American college tennis for better opportunities.

“Somdev explained the benefits of college tennis – great coaches, facilities, tournaments, and an education,” he said. “You can’t complain about that.”

At Wake Forest University, while attending communication studies, Dhakshineswar honed his tennis skills with daily practice, training sessions, and frequent competitions, significantly enhancing his game and fitness over the past three years.

“Repeating my strengths helps perform under pressure,” said Dhakshineswar, who concluded major matches with aces this year.

Dhakshineswar collaborates with coaches including Tony Bresky, Devvarman’s former coach, and former world No. 52 Brian Baker, both of whom have guided college tennis players to professional success. He trains alongside fellow aspiring professionals, benefiting from the shared mindset.

“There aren’t enough players to train with in India. Here, I’m surrounded by players and coaches with the same professional aspirations,” Dhakshineswar stated.

Graduating in May 2026, 25-year-old Dhakshineswar is still new to the pro circuit, having reached a Futures semi-final, Challenger quarter-final, and debuted at an ATP 250 event in Winston-Salem, defeating higher-ranked opponents in the qualifiers.

“It boosted my confidence for the Davis Cup,” he said.

As a strategic newcomer in Biel, Dhakshineswar felt at home with the Indian team. “I’ve experienced team dynamics for the past three years,” he explained. “I kept my composure.”