After playing a pivotal role in India’s comeback against the Netherlands, Dhakshineswar Suresh carries the confidence and lessons from Bengaluru into India’s Davis Cup Qualifiers clash against Korea Republic in Seoul.
After playing a pivotal role in India’s dramatic comeback against the Netherlands, Dhakshineswar Suresh heads to Seoul with growing confidence and a clear understanding of what it takes to compete in an away Davis Cup tie.
There are some matches that stay with a player long after the final point.
For Dhakshineswar Suresh, India’s dramatic comeback against the Netherlands in Bengaluru was one of them.
Playing three matches in the tie, Suresh experienced the intensity of Davis Cup at its best, with a home crowd behind Team India and every point carrying the weight of the team’s campaign. For the youngster, the experience brought something equally important: belief.
“It was one of the best experiences in my life, obviously, doing that for India and from the home crowd, getting it done. It only improved my confidence from there on, not only to play on the Davis Cup, but in my pro career as well.”
That confidence now travels with Suresh to Seoul.
India face Korea Republic in the Davis Cup Qualifiers 2nd Round on 18–19 September, with a place in the Final 8 in Bologna at stake. But while Bengaluru offered India the advantage of a packed home crowd, Seoul will present a very different environment.
For Suresh, embracing that difference will be one of the biggest challenges.
“Playing it in an away situation, any Davis Cup tie, it's tough because you're playing against a team in their home ground, and they have the full support behind them.”
The answer, he believes, is simple: India must create its own energy.
“Going into the match, we’ve got to bring our own energy into the match. That’s going to be a big test, of course. So we just have to put our head down and go to work.”
It is an approach that fits naturally with Suresh’s understanding of what makes Davis Cup different from the regular week-to-week grind of professional tennis.
Tennis is largely an individual sport, but Davis Cup changes the equation. Players are no longer competing only for themselves. Every match is part of a larger team effort, and the energy of teammates can have a tangible impact once a player walks onto court.
“Tennis is an individual sport, right? But Davis Cup changes the dynamic completely, coming into a team environment, where everyone's working towards the same goal.”
That dynamic has been particularly important for this Indian team, which brings together experienced Davis Cup campaigners alongside younger players eager to make their mark.
Suresh sees that mix as a strength.
The experienced players bring knowledge of handling pressure and the unique demands of Davis Cup, while the younger members of the group bring energy, excitement and a hunger to learn.
“Having experienced players and younger players in the same team definitely brings a lot of variety. Having the experienced players, they've done this for a long time. They know how to handle the situation, the stress, everything that goes on court.”
For the younger players, he believes there is also an opportunity to absorb that experience while bringing their own enthusiasm to the group.
“The younger players coming in, a lot of fire, who are excited, who are proud to play for their country, and to learn from these experienced players who've been here doing this for a long time.”
And that sense of togetherness extends beyond the players themselves.
Suresh knows Korea will have the home advantage, just as India did in Bengaluru. But he is hopeful that Indian supporters in Seoul can provide the team with an extra lift.
“Obviously, last time I was at home, and we had the whole stadium behind us, and it will be the same for them in Korea. But we are hoping we are going to get some fans, and that will definitely help us give us a little bit more energy. So we can push a little harder.”
Ultimately, however, the team knows that the biggest job will be done on court.
And for Suresh, the motivation goes beyond simply winning another Davis Cup tie.
India are one tie away from reaching the Davis Cup Final 8 in Bologna. For a player who has already experienced what it means to represent his country in front of a home crowd, the prospect of taking Indian tennis onto an even bigger stage carries enormous significance.
“It would mean everything for Indian tennis.”
It is not only about the current generation, either.
Suresh hopes a run to the Final 8 can create another wave of interest in the sport across the country, encouraging more youngsters to pick up a racquet and believe that a future in tennis is possible.
“If we're able to do that, I'm hoping tennis grows even more in India where we can see talent come out, a lot of kids start playing, and definitely a better future for tennis.”
The setting will be different this time. The crowd will be different. The challenge will be different.
But the objective remains the same.
Bring the energy. Put the head down. Go to work.
And for DK Suresh, the lessons and confidence from Bengaluru now travel with him to Seoul, where India have another chance to take a step towards history.
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