Darrshan hopes to rise higher as he’s set for US collegiate tennis

Darrshan during the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group IV promotional playoffs at the National Tennis Centre. Credit - Tennis Malaysia

PETALING JAYA: Rising tennis player Darrshan Suresh Kumar (pic) is looking to take his game to the next level as he prepares to play collegiate tennis in the United States.

The 18-year-old will be heading to the University of North Dakota next month, where he will be playing National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division One tennis.

The move overseas comes after Darrshan and the national team beat Qatar 2-0 in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group IV promotional playoffs at the National Tennis Centre on Saturday.

“I’m excited for next year now that we are promoted to Group III. Hopefully after moving to the US, I could work on overcoming my weaknesses that I had during the tournament,” said Darrshan.

“I hope to do much better there. I’m moving next month and have a scholarship through my tennis and education. So I’m really happy about that.”

Darrshan was instrumental to the team’s faultless campaign on home turf, delivering the winning point on several occasions to see Malaysia back in Group III after being relegated to Group IV for the first time last year.

Malaysia topped Group A in the early stages and won all 11 of their matches, while the Philippines also booked their promotion tickets to Group III by defeating Kyrgyzstan 2-0 in the other playoff fixture.

“I followed the game plan well, and I was able to deliver the winning point. I’m really satisfied.

“I won every match I played, I think that’s a really positive thing moving forward into the year in this part of my tennis career,” he said.

Now that he’s moving abroad, the possibility of seeing Darrshan compete at the upcoming Thailand SEA Games remains hanging, as it would depend on his collegiate calendar and the university’s approval for him to compete in December.

“Looking at my college tennis calendar, it’s a bit packed. But if the university lets me leave and come back for those two weeks, of course I would be grateful for the opportunity.

“I have never played the SEA Games before, and I think the team would love me there. So if the coaches let me go, then of course I’ll compete,” said Darrshan.