Athukorale growing as coach and player
View(s):Sankha Athukorale has always held a reputation for shouldering consummate grace and grit on the tennis court, whether it be the way he fluently whips the ball down both backhand and forehand wings or tears after anything even remotely within his radar. After his hard-fought victory over Thangarajah Dineshkanthan in the finals of the Queen’s Club tennis tournament he can now also boast of possessing a championship pedigree.
Athukorale growing as coach and player
Both men were caught in an even exchange up until the third set when Athukorale began to extend the gap between the two before eventually storming to a 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 upset.
“I was just fit, that was the main thing. I am always confident I can play my strokes; those are always there and I can practice those by hitting the ball around with my kids (students),” said the 27-year-old, who is also a popular and well-respected coach.
“I worked really hard on my fitness this time, something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time. Right now I think I am playing my best tennis.”
As a player Athukorale has been a constantly powerful force on the circuit, faring exceptionally at the top level and booking Davis Cup berths in the 2007, 2009 and 2010 teams. He explains that at present he is working towards making one last run at a national title and a spot on the Davis Cup team, in the process proving to everyone that if you love the game you can “perform at any age.”
Athukorale has more than established his own passion for the sport, determinedly continuing his career even when his playing costs began to spiral. It was this burden that eventually led him into coaching.
“It was really tough, and I had to think about making a living and there was a limit to which my parents also could do, so I thought of teaching the kids. I thought to myself, ‘Why not do a job I like to do’.”
He explains that his coaching has been a boon in his own game, with him perpetually being around the court and able to sometimes learn from the enormously talented players he teaches. Athukorale maintains a very friendly bond with his pupils, often partnering with them in doubles competition, but is not afraid to be strict with them when pointing out any of their shortcomings.
Nevertheless, Athukorale is careful to maintain equilibrium between his playing and coaching, stating, “You have to balance both because you can’t give up tennis and just do coaching entirely if you want to play and do well. You can’t go to one extreme and ignore the other side.”
He also confesses that he is fonder of doubles play than singles action and heading forward he would like to pay more attention to this format of the game.
Right now in whatever capacity he is contributing to the sport, Athukorale is happy and, moreover, extremely successful. He wants to continue to enjoy the rewarding feeling his work with the game brings and strive towards growing as a player and a coach. Presently, he is looking to achieve this on the coaching front by ravenously consuming all expertise available to him.
“There are workshops which I am looking to attend where I can learn more things about tennis. I still have a lot to learn about the sport. I feel that every day I’m learning something new.”