India's Davis Cup coach Nandan Bal predicted that Karan Rastogi would soon take over the mantle of the country's number one men's tennis player.
Working with Rastogi in Mumbai for the US$ 380,000 ATP Kingfisher Airlines Open, Bal said the 20-year-old will be the team's mainstay in future.
"He is going to be our number one player; there are no doubts about that. And he's going to be around for a long time," Bal told reporters on Thursday, after Rastogi's practice session at the Cricket Club of India tennis courts.
"As the coach, I also get to see how he competes with players at this level."
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Rastogi is currently ranked 361 on the ATP list, behind Rohan Bopanna, 273, and Harsh Mankad, 322. The Mumbai lad was awarded a wild card entry into the main draw of the Mumbai Open, starting on Monday.
"Getting a wild card in an event like this is itself motivational," said Rastogi. "It's an impressive field, probably the strongest we have seen in India for the past couple of years. I am really excited about this tournament, an ATP event in my hometown for the first time."
Rastogi, who has been training at the Nick Bollettieri academy in Florida for the past five years, is happy with the improvement in his game and looking to play even more tournaments next year to improve his ranking.
"Playing at Bollettieri and competing with guys like (Tommy) Haas gives you the self-belief. I share a rapport with them on court and they are really nice guys; they help you a lot, give you advice.
"I have got stronger and am moving better; those were the things I was primarily looking at. It's going to be a busy year ahead, as I will be travelling more, just playing a lot more tournaments, because at this point winning a Challenger is a bonus."
India's singles field has looked a little bleak ever since Leander Paes gave it up for a more fruitful doubles career. During the Davis Cup relegation play-off tie against Pakistan earlier this year, Bal had lamented that India was struggling in the team event because of the lack of a singles quality player.
It was Paes again who rescued the team after an epic five-set battle against Aqeel Khan, and, as Bal says, "managed" to keep India in the top rung of the Asia-Oceania zone.
But Rastogi's steady strides on the circuit have renewed his confidence for future ties.
"I have seen Karan play and his ranking is not indicative of his level of play. He's a much better player and has competed well with opponents ranked a lot higher then him. He needs to get a string of victories in the Futures and Challenger to improve that ranking; but I'm sure he'll mature into a very good player.
"He is always looking to improve. Every time I see him he's put on more muscle mass and improved his strength, which is very essential at this level."
Bal, also a former national champion, added that he is essentially helping Rastogi with tactical corrections in the run-up to the Mumbai ATP.
"It is going to be a great experience for him and the only thing he should focus on is doing the best he can. If he comes across a player like (Mario) Ancic or (Carlos) Moya, we more or less know the result, but the experience he will get from the matches will also be invaluable."
Bal said that Rastogi would have to be more aggressive to succeed on the CCI courts, which being newly-laid are not as fast, but the balls used were light and quick.
