Legendary India table tennis star Achanta Sharath Kamal is participating in his Olympics in Paris. Sharath Kamal, who has dominated the Commonwealth Games will hope to bow out on a high. This is the first time in the history of the competition that India’s men’s and women’s table tennis teams have reached the Olympics.
On Wednesday, 24 July, Achanta Sharath Kamal shared a photo with the legendary Rafael Nadal. Taking to his social media account Sharath Kamal shared before and after pics of both athletes spanning over 16 years.
“Such a pleasure to meet the tennis great Rafael Nadal once again. His consistency, longevity and quality over the years has been so inspiring! Last image – us from 16 years ago,” Sharath Kamal tweeted on Wednesday, 24 July.
India at Paris Olympics: Full Coverage
The Indian table tennis teams were one of the first to reach the venue. Sharath Kamal has already shared photos and videos of him training with Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, one of the best players in the country. The team has spoken a lot about using technology to prepare for their upcoming tournament.
Sharath Kamal also recently reminisced his early Olympic days, where he sat beside Roger Federer during lunch. Sharath Kamal revealed that Federer was a very shy person and did not move around like he was the best in the world.
“One day I was just out for lunch and as I was entering from this side, there was another person coming from the other side with a tennis bag and hair let loose. I feel like I have seen him somewhere. I couldn’t recognise who he was with his hair let loose. We pass each other, we actually cross paths. He goes to give his bag at the baggage-keeping area. I walk in, take my plate looking at what to eat and it suddenly strikes me. Man, it’s Roger Federer,” Sharath Kamal said via a press release.
“I was very shy then. So, I took something to eat and searched for him. He was sitting at one of the tables all by himself. I went as close as possible. I didn’t want to get in his place but still got close and I was eating [on the same table]. And then suddenly, a guy comes in with a reverse hat and shorts and they are clapping hands. I look at him and it’s Andy Roddick,” Sharath recalled.