Teenage Sensation Gautam Venkatraman Stuns Eighth Seed in Pune
A remarkable upset unfolded on the courts of Deccan Gymkhana in Pune on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Seventeen-year-old Gautam Venkatraman, ranked 966 in the world, announced his arrival by defeating the eighth seed and Fenesta Open National champion, Tavish Pahwa, in a gripping opening-round boys' singles match at the Gadre Marine J100 ITF Juniors tennis tournament. The final scoreline read 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in favour of the towering, Hong Kong-born Singapore-based Indian.
A Battle of Resilience and Big Serves
Facing a player ranked 430 places above him, Gautam showcased immense mental fortitude. He fought back from being a set and a break down to secure a memorable victory. Standing at an imposing 6 feet 4 inches, his serve proved to be a decisive weapon, especially in the crucial decider where he fired five of his six total aces.
"I think it's a big win for me," said Gautam after the match. "I've struggled in the past a lot with these three-set matches. In the first set, I was not playing my best tennis. But I'm very happy with how I finished the match and stayed composed." The youngster, who traces his roots to Tamil Nadu and currently trains under Sascha Nensel in Germany, credited his first serve for keeping him in control during pivotal moments.
Strategic Mindset Seals the Deal
The match witnessed high-pressure situations, particularly in the final set when Tavish, energised after training in France, fought back from 0-40 to reach deuce at 4-4. However, Gautam held his nerve. "I was a bit nervous when I lost those three points. It was not a good feeling, but I tried to stay focused on my breathing," he revealed, explaining how he converted the fourth opportunity to gain the advantage.
Gautam's strategic acumen was on full display when he was broken in the second set. He immediately broke back in the next game, adhering to a personal philosophy. "I have this rule where a break is not a break until you follow it up with a hold. So when he broke, I knew that that specific game was my best chance to stay in the match," he eloquently stated. He adopted an aggressive net-rushing strategy to disrupt Tavish's rhythm in longer rallies, a tactic he committed to despite missing a few volleys.
Adapting to Indian Conditions and Finding Inspiration
This tournament marks Gautam's first competitive outing in India, following a second-round exit in Delhi last week. He admitted needing time to adapt. "I definitely thought it took some time to get used to not only the heat, but I personally found these courts very quick. In Germany, I'm playing on red clay, so it's much slower," he explained, adding that he has now found his rhythm.
His journey to tennis was not straightforward. After dabbling in cricket and basketball, he chose tennis at age 10, realizing his preference for solo sports where he could dictate the game. His inspiration comes from legends like Rafael Nadal for his fighting spirit and big servers like Milos Raonic. A significant influence was fellow Indian Sumit Nagal, whose training in Germany prompted Gautam's move to Nensel's academy during the Covid-19 pandemic.
With this significant win under his belt and a recent J60 final appearance in Poland, Gautam Venkatraman has signaled he is a name to watch in the future of Indian tennis.
