From College Courts to Global Stages: Dhakshineswar’s Serve-Powered Rise

Mumbai: Dhakshineswar Suresh’s Rising Tennis Career

Dhakshineswar Suresh recently secured a Davis Cup debut victory for India against Switzerland with an impressive ace. This powerful serve also clinched the 2025 NCAA Division I men’s team championship for Wake Forest University in May.

Dhakshineswar, towering at 6’5”, brings a formidable serve and aggressive playstyle perfectly suited to indoor hard courts. This combination prompted India captain Rohit Rajpal to position him as the first singles player, despite being ranked 626th. He achieved a remarkable victory against the 155th-ranked Jerome Kym, propelling India to a rare overseas Davis Cup win in Europe.

“I strive to maintain my playing style,” shared the 25-year-old from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Initially, his game wasn’t centered around his now-powerful serve—a unique asset among Indian singles players, past and present.

Dhakshineswar, originally from Madurai, honed his potential under the guidance of coach Rajeev Vijayakumar and mentor Somdev Devvarman at the Aspire Tennis Academy. “Given my height, my style had to evolve. I couldn’t just engage in long rallies,” he explained.

Inspired by players like Nick Kyrgios and John Isner, he enhanced his first-strike capability. Although his progress was hindered by injuries and the pandemic, Devvarman advised him to pursue collegiate tennis in the United States, offering a balanced path to a professional career.

“Somdev enlightened me about college tennis,” Dhakshineswar noted. “The combination of superior coaching, facilities, and education provides a strong foundation.”

At Wake Forest University, he improved both his tennis skills and fitness through intensive training and regular tournaments, while studying communication. “Repetition under pressure perfects my strengths,” he said, having recently closed two critical matches with aces.

Working alongside coaches Tony Bresky and former singles world No. 52 Brian Baker, as well as ambitious teammates, Dhakshineswar benefits from a competitive environment. “In India, there aren’t enough partners of similar caliber. Here, I’m surrounded by like-minded individuals aiming for pro success,” he expressed.

Set to graduate in May 2026, Dhakshineswar has only briefly experienced the professional circuit. This year, he reached a Futures semi-final, a Challenger quarter-final, and debuted at an ATP 250 event in Winston-Salem, overcoming players ranked 300 and 126 in singles qualifiers.