• Thadi Karunanayake’s determination, dedication and ability drive his success on the court

Despite the intense cold attempting to force me into the warmth of an enclosed room instead of remaining in the open, I cannot possibly miss what is unfolding – on what could best be described as a battlefield in front of me, a young Sri Lankan boy is fighting. This boy, tennis racket in hand, is engaged in battle with an opponent who towers over him. 

We’re at the Pakenham Tennis Centre in Melbourne, Australia, where the player of Sri Lankan origin, who is in the U10 category, is being brutally beaten by the U16 player in that Australian qualifier. The result? 6-1, 6-1. I was lucky to witness this player in action, our hope for the future, when I was reporting on the ICC T20 World Cup held in Australia last year. 

Two months later, our star is on television screens on international channels. He is competing with no less than tennis superstar Novak Djokovic in a doubles match held at the packed Rod Laver Arena in Australia. 

The little fighter is none other than Thadi Karunanayake. Thadi’s partner in this exhibition doubles match, which marked the opening of the Australian Open, was Australia’s number one tennis player Nick Kyrgios. Setting a sales record, all 15,000 seats were sold out within half an hour. 

So how did Thadi manage to not only compete against the world’s greatest, but also to claim the honour of scoring the winning run?

It is by no means a coincidence. It is not an opportunity obtained on the basis of acquaintances but one that was well earned by Thadi. It is an example of what happens when determination, dedication, and ability combine.

Thadi’s upbringing 

Ten-year-old Thadi Karunanayake is the son of Tharaka Karunanayake, a member of the Sri Lankan band 6th Lane. Thadi’s mother, Udeni Cooray, is the daughter of the former MP and Northern Province Governor, late Reginald Cooray.

Both Tharaka and Udeni came to Australia in 2009. Tharaka took time out of his busy professional life as an IT technician to watch tennis matches. A tennis ball was hung from a string behind his house and he smashed it with a tennis racket during his free time. 

One day when he came home, Tharaka saw his little son also hitting this ball hanging on the string with the tennis racket. Tharaka immediately felt that his son was born with the basic characteristics that a tennis player should have. Tharaka was interested in whether this ability could be carried forward. By combining his son’s passion for the game and his ability, Tharaka was able to pave the way to his son for a winning journey.

That journey began in 2019. Generally, children in Australia start playing tennis when they are three or four years old. Thadi stood out from his young days and he is yet to be defeated. Not only did he win his age group, he also won in higher age groups. 

Thadi is ranked in the top two in his age group in the all-Australian rankings. Also, Thadi has become a specially recognised player by the Australian National Tennis Administration. He is also a player in the Australian National Development Squad. Hence, Thadi has been given the opportunity to train at the Tennis Centre associated with Rod Laver Arena. 

Thadi is fortunate enough to practise three days a week on the ground where the world’s top tennis players have trodden. He also participates in the training of the Cranbourne Sports Club, which he represents. Moreover, he practises with his father whenever he gets a chance.

Thadi’s father right behind his son

Tharaka also took a tennis coaching course because of his son. Regardless of the sun, rain, or cold, Thadi would take any time of the day to practise tennis with his father. Both father and son also analyse the match patterns of their opponents in the upcoming matches.

Tharaka takes Thadi to the tennis centre three days a week which is about 60 km away from the city. Along with this, Tharaka and Udeni take Thadi to many places in Australia for matches. It is not an easy job given the economic challenges as they both manage from what they earn while they both also devote their life to their daughter Dinannya.

“The pandemic was like a blessing in disguise for Thadi’s tennis. Due to Covid, Udeni and I could work from home. It gave me the opportunity to do my grandfather’s work while doing jobs,” said Tharaka. 

Thadi’s talents are not limited to tennis. He is also a good athlete who wins middle distance races like 1,500 metres, 2,000 metres, etc. That running ability has also helped Thadi to increase his stamina for tennis. Thadi is also a talented artist. The way he had pencilled Roger Federer, who is one of the heroes of the tennis world, was excellent. Tharaka has introduced Thadi to art as a ploy to increase Thadi’s mental concentration for the game.

“The most special talent that I have seen of Thadi, who is good at all these things, is that he is doing his education at the highest level in the midst of all these extracurricular activities. While studying at Rivercrest Christian College, Thadi claimed the Academic Excellence Award which goes to the most academically-talented student of the school. This year he also became the chief student leader of the junior section of the school,” added Tharaka.

How Thadi ended up facing Djokovic

Speaking of how Thadi earned a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play against Djokovic, Tharaka said: “Another hero in Thadi’s world is Nick Kyrgios. His coaches at the tennis headquarters knew that. His coaches informed me that Thadi will have an opportunity to compete with Novak as Kyrgios’ teammate in this exhibition match. It was unbelievable and I was shocked. They also told me not to tell Thadi this until the last moment.”

“When we prepared everything for this match and were about to come out of the house, the news came that Udeni’s father (Reginald Cooray) passed away. When Udeni was crying after that news, Thadi said, ‘Dad, let’s not go for this match.’ But we had to make a decision. After two or three days of this match, Thadi was also admitted to a training session at the Rafa Nadal Academy. With all these things, we had to decide that Udeni should be sent to Sri Lanka and I would stay here with Thadi. Thadi played that game with Novak while his mother was travelling home.”

“I think that Thadi’s sports career got a big boost from that match. Thadi is a smart person and someone who plays regardless of who the opponent is and who does not give up a match easily. He beats people in higher age groups because of those qualities. His qualities got a lot of light from this competition. This is a long journey. No matter what lies ahead, enjoying this moment with our children is our happiness,” Tharaka concluded. 

Thadi is a player who lives up to his name. At the same time, Thadi believes that Sri Lankans have great abilities in sports if they have proper guidance. He is hoping to come to Sri Lanka soon.

When The Sunday Morning Sports asked what he would expect to do upon coming to Sri Lanka, he politely responded: “Will you arrange a couple of tennis matches with the best tennis players in Sri Lanka?”