Interview with Chetan Baboor

By Larry Hodges

Photo by Gerry Chua ©2003

Chetan, 29, four-time Indian National Men’s Singles Champion, spent a year in the U.S. getting his master’s degree in international management/business from Thunderbird University in Glendale, Arizona. A week after graduating, he made the final of the Western Open in August. He is now ranked #2 in the U.S.

Where are you from?

All over! Born in India, in the north, and grew up in the west and south for the first 18 years, then lived on and off in Sweden for 6 years, then France/Switzerland a year and now the States the last year.

How did you get started in table tennis? How old were you?

8 years old ... by accident actually. Played cricket and some Badminton in the backyard like everyone else. Some friends were playing Table Tennis and I followed them one day curiously … and got hooked on it!

How did you get to become a world-class player?

Made it to the junior and senior teams in India quite early on (was on the senior team at 16) ... But I really consolidated my game and made it compatible to the international level by playing in Sweden.

How would you describe your playing style?

Attacking with a good defense (backhand) and counterloop (forehand). My service return is a strong point.

What are your best titles, and how long have you been on the Indian National Team?

National team since 12! I won four men’s national singles titles, Commonwealth gold for doubles twice and runner-up in the Asia Cup and Commonwealth Championships.

What are your best wins, and where were they?

Liu Guoliang at the Asia Top 12, and Jorg Rösskopf at the Brazil Open.

How old were you when you became a professional table tennis player, and how long were you one?

I can never say I was a pro completely ... except while playing in Sweden. Always did some work for my sponsor Indian Oil after I finished my undergrad in Engineering.

Do you have a favorite player?

Waldner growing up (like everyone else!) and nowadays I like Boll.

Why did you decide to go to college?

I had an undergrad degree in Mechanical Engineering and worked on and off for Indian Oil back in India. I felt a need for some diversity in my life and so decided to put together all my experience and exposure into an international management/business degree (MBA) from Thunderbird. I didn’t do any work with my undergrad degree but would now like to do something with my experience, business-wise. I also felt I had achieved most of my potential with the sport, but I still would like to be involved with it.

Tell us about your "table tennis training" in the U.S.

It’s been sparse! I play once a week on average. It is hard to find people around my rating in Arizona, and college and other work/projects keeps me terribly busy.

Due to college, you haven’t been training full time in a while. How would your game be different if you were training full time? How would you have played Fan Yi Yong differently at the Western Open?

Definitely ... I am not as sharp as before and have not played at that level for a while. I am sure I would have made less unforced errors and would have been able to engage him in longer rallies or finish points off easier when necessary. I also would have a better return of serve.

At the Western Open, you used both a forehand pendulum serve from the backhand corner, and a backhand serve from the middle of the table. What are the advantages of each of these serves, and when do you use them?

I think the reverse forehand serve is superior to the backhand serve if used well, but essentially the forehand serve puts you in a better position to play forehand and the backhand serve to play backhand. Also this mixes between serving to the forehand and backhand and the different spins to the opponent to different parts of the table thus keeping him guessing.

Now that you have your Master’s degree, what are your future plans? Both in and out of table tennis.

I would like to work with international business perhaps in marketing strategy or other strategic planning and business development. I would still like to play when I get time and be involved with the development of the game wherever I live.

What do you like to do outside table tennis? Hobbies, sports, music, reading, anything like that?

Listen to a bit of music, some classical, alternative, rock, etc. Play tennis and squash and love the hiking trails around Arizona.

Any suggestions for up-and-coming USA players?

Sure ... keep training hard and train smart. Try to organize your game and learn from the best players in the world, taking what is relevant to you! Once you are among the best in the U.S. (hopefully young and early) one should look to train abroad (Asia and Europe). That will constantly engage you at the highest level.

Anything else to add?

Thanks for granting the interview! Is always a pleasure to be involved with the sport in any way!