Having experienced top-level tennis firsthand, Manas Dhamne believes he is not far behind and that it is only a matter of time before he makes his breakthrough. The 18-year-old, who reached his maiden ATP Challenger final last week in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, had previously received wildcards into the qualifying draws of ATP Masters tournaments in Miami this year and Madrid in 2025 and 2026.
The Satara-born teenager stated that the difference between elite players and the rest lies in staying consistent and being able to think on one's feet during difficult moments. "It was a really good opportunity to see how I can compete. I don't think the level is too far," Dhamne said of his outings in Miami and Madrid. "It's just how to keep the level consistent, week in and week out every match, and how to also find a way to win matches. When it's getting tough, I feel this is the thing that they do so much better — finding solutions or finding ways to win matches."
He added, "I think I'm getting there, you know, I'm on the right track. I just need to keep improving and need my own time."
Unconventional Path Under Piatti's Guidance
Coached by Riccardo Piatti, whose previous trainees include current World No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam winner Jannik Sinner, Dhamne's career has followed a trajectory unlike any other Indian player. Although he was eligible to compete in junior Grand Slams until last year, he played only five matches over the past two years in the junior circuit — three in 2025 and two in 2024, all on clay.
In 2024, Dhamne played a total of 58 matches in Futures and Challengers — 37 on clay and 21 on hard courts. Last year, those numbers increased to 85 matches, with 21 on clay and 64 on hard surfaces. Along the way, he has collected three Futures titles so far.
"Tennis wise, I feel it's the same, but I'm doing the same things better, the execution is better," Dhamne said of the standard of competition as he seeks to climb the professional ranks. "Sure, I'm more aggressive, trying to be more courageous, trying to take more shots. But I still feel the tennis is the same. I don't have to change things. I have to do it better and better, and also know when to use it and how to use it in the match."
