He is a bull: India's Saketh Myneni on Rafael Nadal

Saketh Myneni played a lefthander in the US Open — world no.51 Jiri Vesely — and lost in a close five-setter. This weekend, during India’s Davis Cup tie against Spain, he could play another lefty who can hit a shot or two — Rafael Nadal.

“I could play Rafa, I could play anyone [from the Spanish team, depending on the draw]. I have to be prepared,” Myneni tells ETPanache on Wednesday from Delhi, where the contest will be held. The world no.137, India’s highest ranked singles player, admitted to having butterflies in his stomach. “But we are complete underdogs. So I’ll try to have fun,” he says.

Entering the big league Myneni, 28, says his performance at the US Open has given him the confidence that he can compete at the top-level. He won three matches to qualify for the main draw. And then in the first round, he almost defeated Vesely, who had beat Novak Djokovic earlier in the year. “One thing I learnt from the match was that I could play in the big league. It was encouraging that I was able to last and now it’s all about getting better,” Myneni says. Hydration and recovery Cramping had denied the Indian a possible win over Vesely. He had also suffered cramps during India’s previous Davis Cup tie against South Korea. These experiences have reminded Myneni the importance of rehabilitation and hydration.

“I’m learning what I can do so that it doesn’t happen again. It means taking care of training, rehab, staying hydrated and having enough salt in the body,” he says. At the time of this interview, Myneni hadn’t spoken much with Nadal. But he watched him practice. “He’s pumped up,” he says. Asked what part of the legend’s game he liked, Myneni said, “There’s a reason he’s called a bull. The intensity of his game from the first point to the last….[is something I’d like to have].”.