Indian tennis icon, legendary Davis Cup coach Akhtar Ali dies ages 83
A legendary icon in Indian tennis and a former Davis Cup coach, Akhtar Ali has died on Sunday at the age of 83. Akhtar was suffering from multiple ailments including prostate cancer.
In Short
- Legendary Davis Cup coach Akhtar Ali has died aged 83
- He was diagnosed with prostate cancer two weeks ago
- Akhtar played eight Davis Cup ties between 1958 and 1964
Legendary Davis Cup coach and an Indian tennis icon, Akhtar Ali has died at the age of 83. He passed away on Sunday in Kolkata due to multiple ailments including recently diagnosed prostate cancer. His son, Zeeshan Ali, is India’s current Davis Cup coach.
Akhtar’s remarkable coaching career shaped many careers of Indian tennis players including his own son Zeeshan and the legendary star Leander Paes. His coaching style, that influenced the likes of also influenced Vijay Amritraj and Ramesh Krishnan, heavily emphasised on playing aggressive serve and volley game something that has imprinted on the careers that he shaped in his time.
Saddened to hear about the passing of Akhtar Ali, a true tennis legend. ‘Akhtar Sir' coached many of India’s tennis champions. We conferred Bengal’s highest sporting award on him in 2015. I was fortunate to always receive his warm affection. Condolences to his family and admirers — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) February 7, 2021
According to sources in Akhtar’s family, the former coach was taken to a Kolkata hospital two weeks ago where doctors found a lump in his chest and also prostate cancer. The 83-year-old was already suffering from grave diseases- dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
The doctors at the city hospital advised against any cancer treatments because of his already slight health condition. His son Zeeshan, who was conducting a junior national camp at the DLTA in Kolkata, had returned to Delhi on Monday after spending some time with his father but has headed back to Kolkata after hearing the news of Akhtar’s demise.
"Akhtar Ali was terrific as a coach both when I was a junior as well as coach of our India Davis Cup team. Always pushed hard n kept the team relaxed. He did great service to Indian Tennis. RIP dear Aktar. Sincere condolences to Zeeshan n his lovely family," the legendary Vijay Amritraj tweeted.
Before his coaching stint with the Indian team, Akhtar played eight Davis Cup ties between 1958 and 1964 and also captained the side.
A former participant in the Davis Cup, Indian tennis star Somdev Devvarman recalled Akhtar as a passionate coach and mentor.
"One of the first times I threw up during practice was with Akhtar sir at the South club in the summer of 1999. He always gave it his best and taught us to do the same. RIP Akhtar Ali, legend of Indian tennis," he tweeted.
(Inputs from PTI)