Oommen Chandy’s grandson Ephinoah leads in tennis tournament; ‘Father must be smiling in heaven’, says mother

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: ‘Father was his main friend. After knowing that their son was interested in tennis, father used to say that we should make him a good player. Father must be happy in heaven witnessing this.’

Maria Oommen, daughter of Kerala's beloved leader Oommen Chandy, was filled with joy at her son's achievement, whilst also being sad at the passing of her own father before witnessing this physically.

Maria had come to see Ephinoah Oommen Richie, who has grown into a great tennis player, play in the ground. Oommen Chandy's wife Mariamma Oommen is also with her. Oommen Chandy's grandchild, wearing a blue jersey went to the ground at the Ramanathan Krishnan Tennis Complex in Kumarapuram, Thiruvananthapuram to play. It is an open prize money tennis tournament organized by project management consultancy Inkel and KSIDC. Ephinoah became the champion in two categories. In the boys' under-18 singles and men's doubles. He also reached the final in the men's singles. Advaith was his partner in the doubles.

'My father was the one who gave me the courage to take Effie to the matches. I hadn’t come to watch the match due to the busy schedule. But I would call and ask how Effie's match was - said Maria. Mariyamma Oommen said that she feels a little tense when she watches her grandson play.

The trophy presented by grandfather

When Effie won the Kerala State Championship five years ago, Oommen Chandy came to distribute the prizes. He presented Effie with a small smile. He keeps the trophy he received from his beloved grandfather like a treasure

In 2024, he became the Under-18 Doubles winner in the Sree Chitra State Ranking Tournament. He also competed in Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad in the All India Tennis Association National Rankings.

Roger Federer is Ephinoah’s favorite tennis player

Former world number one Roger Federer of Switzerland is Ephinoah’s favorite tennis player. Many people say that Ephinoah is inspired by Federer's game. Ephinoah is a Plus Two student at Green Valley International School. She lives in Jagathy. Nitin Justin is her coach at the Trivandrum Tennis Club.