Zeeshan Ali proud of Bengaluru tennis academy

Dubai: India Davis Cup coach Zeeshan Ali says he is enjoying instructing the next generation of tennis talent in his academy on the outskirts of Bengaluru.

The 43-year-old left Dubai last year after more than a decade-and-a-half in various coaching roles here. He returned home to set up the Zeeshan Ali Tennis Academy (ZATA) and the former Davis Cup player said: “It has been an amazing experience so far for me. We have some of the best tennis facilities and some of the best coaches to match, along with a breed of youngsters who are showing signs of making it to the top of tennis stardom.”

The ZATA is based at the Inventure Academy and currently boasts five courts — four clay courts and one synthetic surface — with plans to add another four artificial courts.

The five-time Indian national champion and Asian Games gold medallist, who has nearly 200 youngsters under his tutelage, added: “We are working towards making this a world-class tennis facility. We have a sports nutritionist and a fitness trainer and some of the youngsters have been showing signs of making it big.”

Ali’s interests in Dubai continue as the former junior world No. 2 visits at least once a month to help with his tennis programme at the Dubai Modern High School. “I’ve had a lot of support from the school management and that is the reason why we have been so successful,” Ali said.