CARMEL, Ind. — Rajeev Ram believes you can't be perfect in sports. He says there's always room for improvement.
"I'm still out here practicing and trying to get better," Ram said, "because I just really love to play."
If perfection isn't possible on the tennis court, Ram, of Carmel, is the next best thing.
During his professional career so far, Ram has garnered six Grand Slams and is the first player to win three consecutive U.S. Opens.
"I am really fortunate to get to do what I do for a living and really excited about this summer," he said.
This year, Ram has already played around the world in places like Australia, Rio, Spain, Italy and France.
In July, Ram will be back in France competing in his third Olympic Games.
"It's incredibly special," he said. "I've always enjoyed representing something bigger than myself. It's a huge priority for me this year to be at my best for the Olympics."
In 2016, Ram won a silver medal at the Rio Olympics, and he did it with one of the greatest female tennis players of all time.
"I got play alongside a legend in Venus Williams in the mixed doubles," he said.
Then, the Tokyo Olympics were off-track, affected by the coronavirus. Ram did not medal that year. Now, he says he's ready to get back on the podium.
Here's the catch about the Paris courts, though. They are made of clay, which is different than the hardcourts here in the United States.
"A lot of the competitors we play against," Ram said, "that is their natural surface. They played on it their whole life. It's obviously a different movement and different ball speed."
Bryan Smith, who has been Ram's coach since he was a teenager, says the playing surface can alter a player's technique.
"Kind of change a few foot work things," Smith said, "and kind of the change the height of the ball."
To his advantage, Ram just played on clay courts during the French Open in Paris.
"I feel like I've gotten better and better," Ram said, "and hopefully can really show my best at the Olympics."
Before he heads to France, Ram is playing a little tournament called Wimbledon, which starts July 1.
He says his goal at the Olympics is to bring home the gold, while enjoying the atmosphere.
"The actual court part of it was the most normal thing at the Olympics," Ram said. "Everything else for me was unbelievable, overwhelming, and super, super cool to experience. You can really feel that energy. That's not something we get in tennis. We don't play on teams. We don't play for more than ourselves, I guess."
When Ram takes the court for Team USA, he says he'll also be playing for Hoosiers back home.
"I love representing this area," Ram said. "It's where I'm from. I'm proud of it. I love the fact that I'm from here and can hopefully represent Indiana in a good light."