Former national champion Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan is going through a torrid time in Senegal as an airlines has misplaced his bag, leaving the young Indian tennis player without clothes, shoes and most importantly his racquets ahead of his doubles match in an ITF Futures event.
Jeevan, who flew by Ethiopian Airlines, was in for a rude shock after landing in Dakar, Senegal on Sunday evening as he learnt that his bag had not arrived on the same flight.
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He was forced to frantically buy clothes and shoes from a local market.
The tennis player, who is scheduled to play his doubles match with Bosnian partner Aldin Setkic later on Monday, has no option but to borrow racquets from somebody until he gets his belongings back.
After a bout of food poisoning forced an abrupt end to his campaign in Raipur ITF Futures tournament last week, the Chennai-lad decided to fly to Senegal to garner some points. A victory in the tournament or a final appearance would keep him in contention for place in the Australian Open qualifiers, next month.
"It's frustrating. I have a match to play and I have no clothes, shoes or racquets. I am in a market, trying to buy T-shirts, shorts and shoes," an exasperated Jeevan, told PTI from Dakar.
"As soon as I walked out, I knew it's not there. I have placed a complaint and waiting. Let's see. There is no flight until tomorrow or day after, don't know what's going to happen," anxiousness was palpable in his voice.
Jeevan is seeded third in the singles and faces Swiss player Luca Margaroli in the USD 15,000 event to be held at the Olympique Club.
In the doubles, Jeevan and Setkic are seeded second and open their campaign against Malaysia's Mohammed Assri Merzuki and Czech Republic's Ivo Minar.
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