CARMEL (INDIANA): Asian American Alliance Inc hosted a special program == Seat At The Table == with six-time Grand Slam champion and tennis icon Rajeev Ram at the Republic Airways Training Centre, Carmel on Tuesday.
A native of Carmel Rajeev Ram is winner of the 2020 Australian Open, the 2021 US Open, the 2022 US Open, and the 2023 US Open in men's doubles with Joe Salisbury, as well as Australian Open mixed doubles titles in 2019 and 2021 alongside Barbora Krejčíková. Ram also won two silver medals, in mixed doubles with Venus Williams at the 2016 Olympics, and in doubles with Austin Krajicek at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
It was a golden opportunity for the community members to discuss and share Rajeev Ram's inspiring journey to attain dizzy heights in his tennis career. Ram's tennis career commenced by playing for Carmel High School and gradually graduated to representing the United States of America at the Olympic Games.
Rajeev Ram's answers to a wide range of questions were inspiring, educative and motivational. He disclosed when he started playing tennis, education, competitions, role of coaches/trainers, family support, mental and physical fitness and consistency.
Answering a question if he has any plan to retire from tennis, Rajeev said " I am going play next year, I turned 40 last year, It is not easy as the body does not respond as well and the brain also does not respond as well, I am definitely playing next year, I do not know past that. But yes I will play one more year as a short term plan."
AAAI president Rupal Thanawala introduced the American tennis icon to the attendees before the 'Seat At The Table' program began. Rajeev Ram also obliged a sizable attendees by giving his autograph and posing for photos.
Speaking on the occasion, Rupal Thanawala, who is from Mumbai, said that " I started this program eight years back. We Asians are very timid and shy. We are very humble, which is good, But we as a community needed a platform for us to spotlight our own heroes and own celebrities."
AAAI office-bearers honored Rajeev Ram by presenting him a memento.