Saketh Myneni is an Indian tennis player. Saketh joined the Indian Davis Cup team in 2014. He was honoured with the Arjuna Award in 2017. He won the gold medal for mixed doubles at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, along with Sania Mirza. Saketh also won the silver medal in the men’s doubles event at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Saketh Myneni was born on Monday, 19 October 1987 (age 36 years; as of 2023) in the town of Vuyyuru, in Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh, India. His zodiac sign is Libra. Saketh attended the Timpany Senior Secondary School in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. In 2006, Saketh Myneni received a sports scholarship to attend the University of Alabama. He graduated in 2010 with a double major in Finance and Economics.
Saketh Myneni during his time at the University of Alabama
Physical Appearance
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
Saketh’s father’s name is Prasad Myneni. His mother’s name is Saroja Myneni.
Saketh Myneni’s parents, Prasad Myneni and Saroja Myneni
Wife & Children
Saketh Myneni is married to Sri Lakshmi Anumolu. The couple were first in a relationship until Saketh proposed marriage to her at the official Davis Cup dinner on 14 September 2016. The couple got married on 22 December 2016.
Saketh Myneni with Sri Lakshmi Anumolu
Career
Saketh Myneni started playing tennis at the age of 11 years. He aimed to improve his physical fitness. Saketh started training with Coach P. K. Kisore at the Vizag Ladies Club. He then moved to Hyderabad and started training under Coach C. V. Nagaraj. He continued training while studying at the University of Alabama, USA. Speaking about his experience in the USA, Saketh mentioned that he became mature and disciplined in tennis while at university. When asked about his degree, he said,
This was my first big exposure abroad. I developed as a person there. It was the best education I ever got…There is a lot of difference in the tennis coaching facility and infrastructure in the US. The commitment towards tennis is much more enhanced there…I have a double major in Finance and Economics. I am happy I went for it. I got a scholarship to get my education as well as improve my game. I specialised in investment banking and insurance. I think I can use it down the years. It has to be used somewhere. It helped me as a person since I got exposed to the world and when I got into marketing or something later, it is going to help me a lot.”
Saketh Myneni playing for the University of Alabama
Saketh won several matches and competitions during his time at the University of Alabama. Saketh Myneni joined the Indian Davis Cup team for the first time during the 2014 Davis Cup. He partnered with Rohan Bopanna in the doubles event, and they won the doubles and singles matches. In 2014, he also secured his first-ever ‘Challenger’ title at the SBI Challenger, with partner Sanam Singh. The team also won the Delhi Challenger in 2014. At the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, Saketh won the mixed doubles gold medal, partnering with Sania Mirza, and the silver medal in the men’s doubles event with his teammate Sanam Singh.
Saketh Myneni and Sania Mirza posing with the gold medal that they won for the mixed doubles category at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games
In October 2014, Saketh won the Indore Challenger, and in October 2015, he secured a win at the Vietnam Open. Looking at his doubles career, he and his partner, Sanam Singh, won multiple times, for example at the Kolkata Challenger 2014 Tennis Tournament, the New Delhi Challenger 2015 and 2016 Tennis Tournaments and so on. Saketh Myneni’s success continued as he played an important role in India’s Davis Cup victory over South Korea in 2016, allowing them to qualify for the Davis Cup World Group play-offs.
Saketh Myneni playing at the 2016 Davis Cup
Saketh also won the Shenzhen Challenger in China in 2018. His tennis activity significantly reduced in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He participated in two tournaments and played seven professional matches. Speaking of the financial constraints that he had been facing, Saketh said,
It has been really tough for me to manage, especially the finances as I couldn’t find sponsors. I started by investing the money I earned as a coach before turning Pro. We pay from our pockets for travel, accommodation, nutrition, coaching and training. There has been no funding or help from the Governments or from the national sports federation even after the 2014 Asian Games medals. Tennis players in India need a system to support them from a young age to achieve the dream of winning Olympic medals and making singles Grand Slam champions.”
In 2021 and 2022, his focus shifted to ITF (International Tennis Federation) doubles success and a return to the Challenger level. In 2023, he won the Bangkok Open, and made his Major debut at the Australian Open, both with partner Yuki Bhambri.
Saketh Myneni (right) and Yuki Bhambri at the 2023 Bangkok Open
Their first Grand Slam match victory occurred at the 2023 French Open when they defeated the French team consisting of Arthur Rinderknech and Enzo Couacaud. Furthermore, he debuted at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships as an alternate pair with Yuki Bhambri. Saketh Myneni and partner Ramkumar Ramanathan won the silver medal at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
Saketh Myneni (right) and Ramkumar Ramanathan posing with the silver medals that they won at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China
After his silver medal win at the 19th Asian Games, Andhra Pradesh Tourism and Youth Advancement Minister R. K. Roja spoke about offering Saketh a job. She also stated the government’s intention to set aside land for the building of a tennis academy. R. K. Roja said,
Chief Minister Jagan Reddy, adviser Sajjala Ramakrishna and myself discussed this and decided to give a job to Saketh Myneni. The government is willing to give land to Saketh Myneni to start a tennis academy in the state. Saketh Myneni is an inspiration to others in sports and games. Tennis is a costly game and he faced a lot of hurdles to win the Asian Silver Medal in his 12 years of journey in Tennis.”
Saketh Myneni (right) with Andhra Pradesh Tourism and Youth Advancement Minister R. K. Roja
In an interview after winning the silver medal at the 19th Asian Games, Saketh said,
Winning my third medal in the Asiad is a truly fabulous feeling. It only reminds you that you still have a lot more still to give. I owe a lot to my wife for this medal. The Asiad silver is a great morale booster as I chase the dream of representing India in the 2024 Paris Olympics. I am conscious of the challenges ahead, the biggest being to be very consistent in the ATP circuit to keep improving my rankings. It’s never going to be easy for sure. “
In 2023, Saketh won the Nonthaburi Challenger in Thailand and the Girona Challenger in Spain. As of November 2023, Saketh is ranked No. 92 under the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Tour, doubles ranking.
Saketh Myneni (left) and Yuki Bhambri posing with the trophies that they won at the Girona Challenger in Spain
Medals
Gold
- 2014: Doubles event at the 17th Asian Games with teammate Sanam Singh, in Incheon, South Korea.
- 2019: Doubles event at the XIII South Asian Games in Nepal.
Silver
- 2014: Mixed doubles event at the 17th Asian Games with teammate Sania Mirza, in Incheon, South Korea.
- 2016: Singles event at the XII South Asian Games in India.
- 2019: Singles event at the XIII South Asian Games in Nepal.
- 2023: Men’s doubles at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China with teammate Ramkumar Ramanathan.
Great news thanks to our tennis players. Congratulations to our Men's Doubles pair of @ramkumar1994 and @SakethMyneni on winning an Asian Games Silver Medal. Their exceptional teamwork has left us all in awe. My best wishes for their upcoming endeavours. pic.twitter.com/aA8dnIpoWK
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 29, 2023
Awards
- Saketh Myneni was awarded the Young Achiever in Sports Award at the Sakshi Excellence Awards event in 2016.
- Saketh Myneni received the Arjuna Award (officially named the Arjuna Award for Outstanding Performance in Sports and Games) for his achievements in lawn tennis in 2017.
Saketh Myneni receiving the Arjuna Award from former President Ram Nath Kovind
Favourites
- Surfaces (to play tennis): Hard and grass surfaces
- Tennis shots: Serve and volley
- Tournaments: Australian Open and US Open.
- TV Series: F.R.I.E.N.D.S
- Actor: Russell Crowe
- Actress: Sandra Bullock
- Dialogue: “Why so serious?”
Facts/Trivia
- Saketh Myneni is also known by his nicknames Saké and Saki.
- Saketh loves animals and nature.
Saketh Myneni showing his appreciation for nature on his Instagram account
- Saketh’s hobbies include watching movies (Telugu, Hindi, and English) and TV shows, listening to music, and reading comic books. During his free time, Saketh also likes to spend time with his friends at dinners, movies, or concerts.
- Saketh Myneni’s idol from his childhood was the American tennis player, Andre Agassi.
Saketh Myneni’s childhood inspiration, Andre Agassi
- Saketh Myneni says he is a foodie who enjoys all cuisines but hates fast food.
- Saketh used to play many sports and started participating in athletics at the age of 14. When asked about the one thing he would change from his past, Saketh said that he wished to have started athletics when he was 10 years old instead.
- In an interview, Saketh Myneni stated that he was a “low-profile” guy. When asked about what he likes to do in his free time, he said,
I hang out a lot with friends, go out for movies, weddings, functions. I am everywhere. I crack jokes. But I am never at home. I make friends easily. When I first went to the States, I didn’t have any friends there. I had to make friends, and it was easy for me, because of the way I interact with people. I am quite chilled out. But whether I am a good friend or not, maybe you should ask Sania (Mirza) about that. However, I am pretty sure that I am the kind one can rely on, because whatever I do, I do it with a straight head.”
