Tennis ace Aran Selvaraasan ready to kick on in promising career

By Oli Dickson Jefford, Sportsbeat

Manchester ace Aran Selvaraasan is ready to knuckle down and kick on in his promising tennis career.

After first being introduced to the sport by his dad at the age of three, Selvaraasan, 12, has emerged as one of the most talented junior players across the UK.

And after recent successes at home and abroad, he is now preparing for the next significant steps in his career.

“A couple of weeks ago I won the Nationals, I thought that was really good. It’s very special knowing that I’m one of the best in the country,” said Selvaraasan, who is funded by a partnership between SportsAid and Isokinetic.

“In America I’ve played two tournaments, the Orange Bowl and Eddie Herr. In Eddie Herr I reached the quarter-final, losing to the winner, and in the Orange Bowl I came seventh, which I thought was a great achievement for me. It’s a good experience

“I’m willing to continue and there’s a couple of tournaments, Tennis Europe events, that I’m going to play in a couple of months' time, just to get more exposure to different players, courts and conditions, and to push ahead.

“Ultimately I want to be moving on to ITFs and try and become a top pro. I know it’s tough but I’m willing to work hard and make sacrifices.”

SportsAid Week 2023 is here, with the annual initiative, which was launched in 2016, taking place from Monday 6 March to Sunday 12 March.

This year’s theme focuses on ‘Accessibility and Inclusion’ as the charity shines a spotlight on the country’s most talented young athletes and celebrates the incredible work being undertaken by its partners to support the future of British sport.

The theme of ‘Accessibility and Inclusion’ is an opportunity for the charity’s partners to highlight their own work in this area during SportsAid Week, with SportsAid athletes recently revealing that accessibility and the cost of sport are the issues they care most passionately about.

It will also open up discussions on the progress being made, as well as the challenges faced, in the sports sector.

As Selvaraasan looks to emulate greats of the game, he is grateful for SportsAid’s support.

Selvaraasan, who is supported by SportsAid and commercial partner Isokinetic, added: “I like all of the big three, Roger, Rafa and Djokovic. I like Federer the most because he’s a class player and I like his all-court game style. He’s a nice person off the court generally.

“SportsAid’s support is really appreciated, it’s been helping me a lot in my game. Also Tennis First, Wilson Rackets and the LTA have been supporting me with my travel and competing.

“It’s quite an expensive support so I’m happy with all the support I can get.”

SportsAid Week 2023 takes place from Monday 6 March to Sunday 12 March! Join us for a dedicated week of fun and awareness-raising based around theme of accessibility and inclusion. Please visit www.sportsaid.org.uk