Indian tennis has many juniors striving hard to make a mark and forge their path towards becoming professionals.
While there is no dearth of effort from most, some stand out to the discerning eye, like Tavish Pahwa, who wound up 2024 as the country’s No. 1 in both the under-16 and under-14 sections.
The best evaluation of such a talent is done by a coach of considerable calibre, like Australian Todd Clark, who has been associated with Indian tennis for about 15 years.
Having worked with Tavish for about a year and a half, he believes the 15-year-old will soon be “a name to watch” on the global stage.
“Athletically gifted, Tavish has excellent movement, speed and agility on the court. His ability to cover all areas of the court, paired with a sharp tactical mind, sets him apart from his peers,” Todd explained.
“He reads the game exceptionally well, often anticipating his opponent’s moves and devising effective strategies to counter them. His composure and court awareness are rare qualities for someone of his age.”
Further analysing the youngster, Todd spoke highly about his technical and mental capabilities.
“Tavish’s game is built on strong fundamentals. While all aspects of his game are clean, focused work is ongoing to refine his serve and return to turn them into defining weapons,” he said.
Tavish is a fierce competitor and enjoys being in the thick of battle, against quality opponents who push him hard to bring out his best.
“There has been a marked improvement in his emotional control and discipline, on and off the court. With continued exposure to high-level competition, his ability to make sound decisions under pressure will only improve,” Todd said.
The coach is understandably proud that Tavish has been able to back his case by finishing the year as No. 1 in both under-14 and under-16 in 2024.
“Apart from finishing last year as No. 1 in the country in both under-14 and under-16, Tavish also won the National under-16 title. He secured his first ITF singles title in Colombo. These milestones mark Tavish as one of the country’s most promising young talents,” he said.
Tavish, who has slipped to No. 3 in the country in the under-16 rankings, recently won all his matches against the Top 5 seeds in the selection trials for the Junior Davis Cup team.
Rather than trying to play more tournaments and stay as No. 1, Tavish and his family decided to go to Europe in March to check out five of the world’s best tennis centres, including Rafael Nadal Academy in Spain, Patrik Mourtoglou centre in France, and the Piatti Centre in Italy.
Todd believes that Tavish needs to set himself up in Europe to gain the required exposure whenever he enters the professional grind.
European pit stop
“Like many of India’s top talents before him, Tavish must look beyond domestic borders. Training in Europe would provide the intensive, high-level environment essential for his growth,” Todd pointed out.
“Players like Sumit Nagal, Sasikumar Mukund and Manas Dhamne have all benefited from similar pathways. Recently, Maaya Rajeshwaran made the move to Rafael Nadal Academy to further her development.”
Tavish got a taste of Europe last year as part of the Asian under-14 team, an experience Todd believes gave him “a valuable benchmark” for assessing his current level and identifying areas that need refinement.
Tavish’s parents Seema and Gaurav, who have been diligently shaping the boy’s career, are grateful for the timely support, especially from the Shiv Nadar School in Faridabad, where he is enrolled.
Strong support system
“The support of Tavish’s school has been a game-changer. The school has stood by him as a pillar of strength, helping Tavish to pursue his sporting goals without compromising on his academics. We are also deeply grateful to Shiv Nadar Foundation and HCL Tech for their generous financial support that has helped his career in so many different ways, including the visit to Europe to find a suitable academy,” said Seema.
The mother was happy that Tavish could visit five of the best coaching centres in Europe, with appointments facilitated by the IMG, the leading sports management company.
“Coaches at these academies expressed keen interest in working with Tavish and indicated the possibility of offering scholarships,” said Seema.
Expensive affair
While Tavish is getting ready to represent the country in the Junior Davis Cup Asia-Oceania event in Kazakhstan, apart from representing Haryana in the Khelo India Games, the family is working hard to gather the financial support to meet the expenses of keeping him in one of the prestigious academies in Europe.
“There is no dearth of talent in India. However, one of the biggest challenges remains funding. The high cost of international travel, coaching, and equipment often limits opportunities for young athletes.
“Without adequate financial support, even the most talented prospects face significant hurdles in reaching their potential,” stressed Todd.
Tavish’s goal is to be in the top 100 of the world junior rankings by next year and get into the junior Grand Slams.
Published – May 02, 2025 12:26 am IST
