Special Comments on Harsh's victory at Manchester Challenger

Harsh's victory counted a lot on our Indian tennis scene ... This challenger title is after 6 years since last by Indian player (Lee's won at Mumbai Challenger in 2000), after 12 years since last Indian challenger title in the west (Leander won at in the western hemisphere was in 1994 at Binghamton, NY), after 12 years since last challenger title by any Indian player other than Leander (Mahesh at Jakarta Challenger in 1994) and after 48 years since the last Manchester Trophy title by an Indian, ie Ramanathan Krishnan in 1958.

The announcer says, "Congratulations to our 2006 champion: Harsh you've played some absolutely marvellous tennis this week. I don't know if you know this, but Harsh Mankad is the first Indian player to win the Manchester Trophy since Ramanathan Krishnan in 1958!"

Harsh thanked the management of the tournament, the umpires, ball-boys, his supporters -- especially Sam and Monisha -- his coach, and basically everyone who has helped him, and promises to be back next year. Harsh also thanked his doubles partner, Stolt, apart from his coach. The announcer says, "Please do come back, we will look forward to it". Harsh holds up the gleaming silver trophy of Manchester Challenger.