By Mark Ambrogi
At 32, Carmel’s Rajeev Ram is having a memorable season on the ATP Tour.
Ram reached career highs in singles (No. 56, April 18) and doubles (No. 22, Aug. 1), making the Wimbledon double semifinals and now finding himself in Rio de Janeiro as a member of the U.S. Olympic tennis team. Doubles team Bob and Mike Bryan announced July 30 they would skip the Olympics because of health concerns. The next day, the U.S. Tennis Association named Ram as a doubles replacement. Ram, who left for Rio Aug. 2, said health or security concerns wasn’t going to keep him from the Olympics.
“These days you always have to be concerned about security,” Ram said. “I don’t know if there is a spot in the world where you can feel incredibly safe. I’m privileged to have this opportunity. I wasn’t going to pass it up. I feel like that kind of stuff can happen anywhere. I’ve worked hard for an opportunity like this.”
The doubles competition started Aug. 6. Ram is playing doubles with Brian Baker.
Ram said he had set a goal of making the Olympics team in singles, but narrowly missed that.
“I feel I represent not only myself, my family, but the state of Indiana and American tennis,” Ram said. “It’s pretty special.”
Diver Steele Johnson became the first Carmel athlete to make an Olympic team in June. Ram is the first Carmel High School graduate to make it.
“I’m definitely proud of that,” Ram said.
