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Talented tennis ace Mohammed Al Khalifa plans to let his racquet do all the talking when he defends his JC’s Tennis Academy Box League title next month.
The 25-year-old was recently crowned the champion after battling it out with eight others in a tightly-contested round robin competition staged in Riffa Views.
The Box League is the highest level of involvement for racquet network players.
The director of business development at GCCIX, a privately-owned terrestrial cable system company, said: “The tournament which started in May took about a month and a half to complete. We had to play the entire field with the top two making it to the final. I lost my opening match even though I took the first set. That loss woke me up and since then my game changed.
“This win was big for me because the calibre of competition was high. It also meant a lot more to me because my coach only predicted that I would make it to the semis but not the finals. To defy the expectations of my coach was great and was a good boost to my confidence.
“To me it’s not just about the trophy, but about the crowd interaction. Tennis is a very emotional sport. When people watch you play, they actually experience the ups and downs of the match alongside you. I’ve been dreaming about reaching a championship final for years and now I’ve done it. It was great to see my family and friends cheer me on during the tournament. Their support means a lot to me.”
Al Khalifa is no stranger to success, winning the FCTG Winter Open in Bahrain last year at the Bahrain Tennis Federation courts in Isa Town.
The former St Christopher’s School student is now training six days a week on the court or in the gym at different facilities on the island and in the privacy of his home, often waking up as early as 5am to volley a few balls over the net.
His love for the game started in 2008 after watching American professional tennis player James Blake in the Olympics on TV.
He said: “Unfortunately, I got into tennis late in my life which means I am unable to compete in the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) tour at an effective level. One would have to train from the age of five.
“It all started for me when I watched Blake play. The commentator was referring to his book Breaking Back: How I Lost Everything and Won Back My Life, and his near career ending injuries. I picked up his book and, soon after, picked up a racquet.
“Blake went from dealing with scoliosis, having half his face paralysed, losing his father to cancer and crashing his neck into the tennis post an inch away from full paralysis, to being ranked number four in the world. He doesn’t have to win a trophy for me to see him as a champion.”
Al Khalifa had a chance to meet his hero when he joined JC’s Tennis Academy, as an international delegate, at the 2012 Wimbledon Championships that took place at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London.
He said: “I was extremely fortunate to attend Wimbledon with the academy. Seeing the players on the world’s most prestigious grounds is an experience that cannot be put into words. I didn’t just go there to watch the matches. It also gave me a chance to meet and sit with the players.
“I got to meet my hero Blake and Scottish professional tennis player Andy Murray who is also the current Olympic men’s singles gold medal winner.”
Although Al Khalifa turned to Blake for guidance, it was his own mother who gave him the courage to succeed.
He said: “My biggest inspiration has always been my mother. She dedicated her entire life to raising my sister and I. My entire being from my values, my ethics and everything I do on the court and at work stems from her.
“I aim to inspire the next generation of tennis players in Bahrain the way she inspired and motivated me. I would love to mentor younger players.”
Al Khalifa also recently staged a fitness boot camp based on 30 minutes of high intensity interval training for 10 people aged between 16 and 27 to stay in shape and live a healthier lifestyle.
