‘Balance your passion, personal, and professional life’—Abhijeet Muzumdar’s playbook to pursue a career in tennis

Abhijeet Muzumdar, Vice President and Head of India and Emerging Markets for Corporate Development and Amazon Smbhav Venture Fund, has seen success not just as a top corporate leader, but also as a sportsperson. 

Besides holding a top leadership position in a large corporate, Muzumdar is smashing hard in tennis as well. He is currently ranked No. 2 in tennis in India and counted among the top 20 in the world ranking in the 40-plus category. Muzumdar is representing India at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Masters World Tennis Team Championship 2024 (men’s 40-plus category) that is being held in Portugal between August 4-17. 

However, it’s not been an easy journey for Muzumdar, who took 26 years (post his involvement in junior championships) to reach this stage. That’s not all—he has prepared for this prestigious tournament, while balancing a full-time role that requires him to focus on strategic decision-making for private investments and M&A opportunities in India and other geographies. 

On the sidelines of the ITF Masters World Tennis Team Championship 2024, YS Life caught up with Muzumdar to learn more about his initiation into tennis, how he fulfilled his dreams at a later stage, and the secret behind pursuing professional tennis while dabbling in a corporate job. 

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Edited excerpts from the conversation: 

YS Life (YSL): When did you develop an interest in playing tennis?

Abhijeet Muzumdar (AM): I was born into a humble Konkani family in Mumbai and attended a Hindi/Gujarati medium municipal school. While growing up, I enjoyed playing marbles and gilli danda with my friends. Witnessing my interest in outdoor games, my parents encouraged me to channel my energy into formal sports. I developed an interest in playing tennis because my school had public tennis courts. However, I couldn't play the sport daily due to its high costs and infrastructure requirements. 

Fortunately, a friend of my father provided some tennis equipment, including a mini racquet, and this ignited my passion for tennis and set me on an incredible journey in the sport.

YSL: You were smashing records at a very young age. Tell us more about your achievements. 

AM: By eight, I was already making strides, winning the under-12 Maharashtra tennis tournament, and achieving the top rank in the state. My dedication continued to pay off as I earned numerous victories in state and national ranking championships across the U-12, U-14, and U-16 categories. 

These achievements led me to secure a spot on the Indian junior tennis team, where I competed in prestigious events like the Junior World International University Championships and the World Youth Cup. Reaching a top national ranking of No. 5 in the U-16 category allowed me to compete against former top world players such as Andy Roddick and Rohan Bopanna. 

YSL: You eventually gave up the sport then…

AM: Balancing academics and sports proved difficult due to the significant financial costs involved in training, equipment, and travel, alongside the need to support my education. Despite my father's best efforts to secure additional support, the financial limitations became unsustainable. Consequently, at the age of 17, I had to make the difficult decision to prioritise my studies by enrolling in an English-medium college.

YSL: Tell us more about your trajectory in the corporate world.

AM: Over the past 16-17 years, my focus areas have been corporate development, venture capital, and private equity investing. I have been with Amazon for over a decade, leading several strategic initiatives, including mergers and acquisitions, minority investments, joint ventures, and large-scale partnerships.

Before joining Amazon, I worked at Bessemer Venture Partners, focusing on investments in consumer internet and financial services. Before Bessemer, I gained experience in investment banking with Edelweiss Capital in Mumbai and UBS PaineWebber in New York. Throughout my career, I’ve been involved in investing across consumer internet, transportation, fintech, software, direct-to-consumer brands, and ecommerce.

YSL: What led you to return to professional tennis? Was there a push? 

AM: After focusing on academics and career development for several years, I started to miss the sport that had been such a significant part of my life. Although I had to step away from tennis at 17 to prioritise my studies, I realised that tennis had always been more than just a sport to me. 

The joy and fulfilment I experienced on the court were undeniable, and this realisation made me want to reconnect with tennis. My decision was also greatly influenced by my family as they have motivated me to fully commit to the sport once again with renewed enthusiasm and dedication.

Throughout my career, I have faced numerous obstacles, including physical injuries, but I’ve remained resilient. Rohan Bopanna, a childhood friend and tennis legend, has been a major source of motivation. His remarkable achievements—becoming the oldest player to reach world No. 1, winning two Grand Slam titles, and receiving the Padma Shri award demonstrate that age is just a number and passion knows no bounds. 

YSL: How do you pursue your passion for tennis despite a full-time job?

AM: Balancing my professional responsibilities with my passion for tennis is achievable through effective time management and Amazon’s supportive culture. 

My day kicks off at 4 am with a focused start. I spend the first 30 minutes immersed in reading or finishing a work document or email. This quiet, undisturbed time sets a powerful tone for my day. 

Following this, I embark on my marathon training, which I dedicate myself to four times a week. These early morning runs are invigorating and fuel my day with energy and determination. In preparation for the World Tennis Championships, I also play tennis three times a week. This not only keeps me physically fit but also sharpens my strategic mindset. 

During this morning workout routine, most of my workday is mentally planned. To round out my fitness regimen, I hit the gym once or twice a week. This comprehensive approach—combining running, tennis, and gym workouts—ensures I stay in peak condition, ready to conquer any challenge that comes my way.

My day is filled with meetings and calls until about 4 pm. After that, I spend a couple of hours catching up on emails. Some evenings, I have meetings starting at 8 pm to connect with colleagues in other countries.

YSL: What are some of your other passions and interests?

AM: Beyond my dedication to tennis and marathon training, I have a passion for mountaineering. To date, I have trekked to Everest Base Camp at an elevation of 17,598 feet and summited Mount Kilimanjaro, which stands at 19,340 feet and is the highest mountain in the African continent. 

YSL: What's your advice to someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

AM: To anyone who aspires to pursue a career in tennis, it's important to recognise that all careers, including sports, are demanding, and challenging. Even paths that seem effortless involve overcoming significant obstacles. From my professional playing days, I've learned valuable lessons that can benefit youngsters. 

It is important to learn to co-exist and find ways to balance your passion, professional life, and personal life rather than choosing between them. Second, practice effective time management through day batching to optimise your schedule. 

Third, become an early riser; waking up early provides additional hours to stay ahead. Lastly, consistency and grit are essential: building a successful career takes time, so maintain a steady effort and the results will follow. Stay dedicated, keep pushing forward, and believe in your journey.