2024 August Captains of the Month
Congrats to our August JTT and Adult League Captains of the Month, David Grady and Sourav Dutta! Though their journeys come from different backgrounds and experiences, both share a profound passion for the sport and a commitment to fostering talent and camaraderie among players.
David Grady, a remarkable figure in junior tennis, hails from Lowndes County, Mississippi, where his love for the sport has shaped his life and career. After dedicating years to coaching the New Hope High School tennis team, David took on the role of Junior Team Tennis (JTT) captain in the summer of 2021. He was motivated to start captaining to better support his high school players and to help cultivate younger tennis talent in the community.
“Becoming a JTT captain was a way for me to support my high school players in JTT tennis and foster a love for the game,” David shared. His dedication is evident, as he regularly co-captains JTT teams, imparting valuable knowledge and skills to his players.
One of David's proudest moments as a captain is witnessing his teams achieve success at various State Championships. However, leading his 2.5 mixed doubles team to qualify for the Southern Sectionals stands as his most cherished achievement. "Seeing the growth of my players and their successes has been incredibly rewarding," he reflected.
Originally from the City of Joy, Kolkata, India, Sourav Dutta's journey led him to Madison, Mississippi, after earning his PhD in Mathematics from Texas A&M University in 2017. Currently, he works as a research scientist for the University of Texas at Austin in collaboration with the US Army Corps of Engineers ERDC in Vicksburg. It was in Vicksburg that he discovered his passion for tennis, drawn by the area’s fantastic public courts.
Sourav began playing tennis in 2019 and quickly immersed himself in the USTA league experience. His journey as a team captain began in the summer of 2021 during the Trilevel season. Eager to meet other devoted tennis lovers in the Jackson community, he embraced the role of captain and has been actively leading teams ever since.
“What I enjoy most is strategizing with my teammates and making lineup decisions that give us the best chance of winning," Sourav said. His teams have not only competed fiercely but have also achieved notable success, including multiple State Championships and a qualification for the Southern Sectionals.
For Sourav, tennis has become a pivotal part of life in a new city. The sport has facilitated new friendships and provided an outlet for social engagement, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it offered a safe way to enjoy the outdoors.
