Bhupathi in the best phase of his career: Navarra

For Mose Navarra, his connection with India was established when he married the country’s top supermodel Sheetal Mallar two years ago. ...

For Mose Navarra, his connection with India was established when he married the country’s top supermodel Sheetal Mallar two years ago. But in the last couple of months, the Italian has strengthened his bond with India by becoming the coach of tennis doubles ace Mahesh Bhupathi. By all accounts, his stint so far with Bhupathi has been fruiful: Two tournament wins (Estoril, Monte Carlo Tennis Masters Series), runners-up finishing at Hamburg last week and semifinal spots at the Dubai Open and the Rome Masters. In fact, the dice has started rolling in favour of the Indian and his Belarussian partner Max Mirnyi.

Ask Mahesh on his improved run and he quickly admits to Navarra’s inlfuence. ‘‘Mose has been a definite plus,’’ gushed Mahesh from New York. ‘‘He has kept me in the best physical shape possible and having been a player himself, he knows how much my body can take.’’ On a week’s holiday in Mumbai with his wife, the 29-year-old coach spoke to CHANDRESH NARAYANAN even as he prepared himself to join his ‘ward’ Mahesh in Paris later this week. Excerpts:

How has the stint with Mahesh been to date?
It has been just two months but the results have been good. Especially, the last three weeks. They (Mahesh & Max Mirnyi) have had a good run in the European clay court circuit, especially in Monte Carlo and Hamburg. And we (Mahesh and I) have had no problems as we have been the best of friends since I can remember.

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Any particular reason for taking up the job?
Nothing particular. You should, maybe, ask Mahesh (laughs). It was just that Mahesh asked me if I could help him out and I had no problems in accepting his request.

Has Mahesh’s choice of partner (Max Mirnyi) made any difference? How do they work as a team?
They are a good team. If they are playing together and are in the best form they are very tough to beat. The only problem could be that Max also plays singles and it may not be too easy for him. But otherwise they work well.

Would you say Mahesh is going through the best phase of his career?
I think so. Probably, mentally Mahesh is at his best. They (Max and Mahesh) played well to win the Monte Carlo Masters. But last week in Hamburg, even though they lost in the final, they were good but did not play well as a week before in Rome. So he (Mahesh) is getting better. Our goal is the Grand Slams. I am hopeful as we head into Paris and Wimbledon, Mahesh will only get better.

Mahesh believes you are one of the reasons for his form? Any comments?
What can I say? I am happy. It is good to hear that your work is being appreciated. It is great to hear such things.

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Have you been following Leander Paes? How is David Rikl and Paes shaping up?
David and Leander have also had a couple of awesome weeks. Even though they did not win much, they have been reaching the semis. They are quick on the courts and play well as a team. They are definitely one of the best pairs. Leander, like Mahesh, has been playing good tennis this year.

If both are playing well, can we see Leander and Mahesh coming back together?
Well, you should ask them about it. They are best placed to comment on this subject. I cannot say anything. I can only say if they come back together it will be the best thing to happen for Indian tennis.