Injury-prone tennis team looking to become a top league contender

The 5-2 boys’ tennis team recently defeated Cupertino 4-3 on March 28. All three doubles teams and No. 1 singles Neel Bedekar won their matches.

Prior to playing Cupertino, the team pulled out a clutch 4-3 victory over Lynbrook on March 21. Players said underclassmen were essential to the game and have been key throughout the season.

According to junior No. 2 doubles player Kush Maheshwari, the match was initially tied 3-3. Freshman No. 4 singles player Jihau Yi played the seventh and final match, pulling out a close win. 

Other than Yu, all of the doubles teams won their matches.

According to Maheswari, the singles squad has been struggling this year following the loss of junior Kial Kaiser, who consistently secured the team at least one match as No. 1 singles. Kaiser is playing more competitive non-school tennis this year.  

In addition, due to injury, both junior No. 2 singles player Zack Hewlin and sophomore No. 2 doubles  player Rohit Rao are out of action. 

“[Our loss of players] makes a big impact on the team, because everyone has to move up one spot,” sophomore doubles player Vikram Ramesh said.

Consequently, underclassmen have been playing a major role in this year's team. Key additions include freshman doubles player Karthik Padmanabhan and Yu to the varsity squad. In addition, Ramesh, Rao, sophomore doubles player Hans Sun and sophomore singles player Neel Bedekar underclassmen have been playing a major roles.

“It’s a strong start for the team with many underclassmen. Since we’re young, we have time to grow in our roles and get better as time comes,” Ramesh said. 

The lack of powerhouse singles players cost the team an early 4-3 loss to Los Altos in a close battle on March 14. 

Although injuries have short handed the singles squad, Saratoga’s doubles teams have seen great success when faring against powerhouse teams such as Palo Alto. 

An early win in the season came in part from the doubles squads. The pairs led the team to a easy 6-3 victory against Palo Alto March 12. 

“As a singles player, it’s good to know that doubles is basically a guaranteed win,” Bedekar said. “[Our doubles] is the best in our league, and maybe the best in CCS.”

The Falcons look to improve on their record and strengthen their singles squad in hopes that they will make a deep run in the eventual CCS tournament. 

“Last year we reached semifinals in CCS, and this year we hope to do the same,” Bedekar said.