Unique | ‘The subsequent huge factor’ in Indian tennis blooming underneath Rafael Nadal’s watchful eyes: Maaya Rajeshwaran | Tennis Information

NEW DELHI: “Studying, having fun with, and sharing time and experiences with these younger and gifted gamers,” Rafael Nadal penned a publish on X (previously Twitter) not even a fortnight in the past. The publish featured a picture of the tennis nice on the middle. To his left stood three teenage ladies, and to his proper, 4 extra. On the far proper, one might spot 15-year-old Maaya in her coaching apparel, trying considerably nervous, her proper index finger tucked into her left fist.

Nervousness was fairly palpable – in any case, the 22-time Grand Slam champion was proper there in particular person at his Rafa Nadal Academy on the island of Mallorca, his watchful, forever-fiery eyes evaluating the kids.
As for Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi, this was her first meetup with the “King of Clay” after taking the tennis scene by storm along with her distinctive efficiency on the Mumbai Open earlier this 12 months.
However this is a enjoyable reality: Mumbai wasn’t even on her calendar initially of the 12 months.
“To start with, enjoying the Mumbai Open wasn’t even a part of the plan. My wildcard was confirmed simply 2 days earlier than the match,” Maaya, born to father Rajeshwaran and mom Revathi in a Tamil household, advised TimesofIndia.com in an unique chat. “I used to be very assured that I would compete nicely. Actually, I did not anticipate that I would make it that far, however I simply performed match by match and gave my greatest.”
Romping previous opponents way more skilled than her, the rising star made waves throughout the tennis fraternity.
As she reached the semi-finals on the Cricket Membership of India and have become the primary 2009-born participant to make semifinal of a WTA125 occasion, some even clasped their palms in prayer, hoping for an outlandish title win. However a defeat to 27-year-old Jil Teichmann within the semis introduced Maaya’s dream run to an finish.

“After dropping within the semi-finals, I used to be a bit upset as a result of I did not play in addition to I hoped I might. However I had a whole lot of positives to remove from the Mumbai Open,” added the rising star following the perfect sequence of leads to her skilled circuit up to now.
Even tennis was not a part of Maaya’s plan till she turned eight. For her, it was initially only a “leisure sport” after college.
She determined to go professional when she was 10. On the coronary heart of her journey are her mother and father, who, in Maaya’s phrases, have been extremely supportive.

“I am so blessed that my mother can journey with me. My dwelling has at all times been my household, and likewise, I’ve an excellent help system again dwelling. Typically, I do miss them rather a lot,” she advised TimesofIndia.com. “However particularly, I miss my dad a lot. I am very near each my mother and father. I believe if my dad would even be with me, I might really feel very very like dwelling.”
At such a younger age, staying overseas could make anybody homesick. But, that is precisely what Maaya had at all times needed. She recalled, “We had been on the lookout for a base in Europe final 12 months, and the invitation from the Rafa Nadal Academy was fairly shocking. However we had been very glad that they took me in.”
An avid reader and film buff, Maaya additionally loves baking – baking, as she bakes, these chants already labelling her because the “subsequent huge factor” in Indian tennis. “I am undoubtedly not fearful about that. Actually, it is very supportive and inspiring to see individuals consider in me,” she added.

At the moment, she is extra into wading by way of the pages of the novel “The Palace of Illusions” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni as Maya mirrored, “If I might inform one thing to my youthful self now, it might be to belief myself and the nice individuals round me, it doesn’t matter what occurred, irrespective of if I did not win, I simply needed to do what I like to do with all my coronary heart.”
You have most likely heard these sayings: A life with no objective is sort of a ship with no rudder, a automobile with no steering wheel… or, for tennis followers, Rafael Nadal with no Grand Slam (not fairly a well-known one but), however you get the concept.
What’s it that at all times drives Maaya?
“The final word objective for me is to develop into the world no. 1 and win slams,” sighed the present world no. 1 Aryna Sabalenka’s aficionado.