When Toni Nadal reaches out to say that he has been watching your sport, following your on-court progress, and that he might be seeing you on the prestigious Rafa Nadal Academy quickly, it’s not simply any cellphone name. It’s affirmation that you’re not simply one other participant within the crowd.
Throughout a single, unforgettable week on the L&T Mumbai Open, Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi not solely received hearts but in addition captured the eye of the tennis world.
Having entered the WTA 125 occasion with a wild card facilitated by the Maharashtra State Garden Tennis Affiliation, the 15-year-old redefined what it means to grab a chance and shine on the large stage.
Precocious expertise
With a mix of grace, depth, and aggression that appeared virtually unbelievable for somebody so younger, Maaya overcame opponents twice her age, outfitted with huge expertise, higher bodily energy, and better rankings, firmly proving that she was meant to compete at this elite stage.
After qualifying with spectacular victories over World No. 264 Nicole Fossa Huergo and No. 434 Jessica Failla, Maaya made an impression in the primary draw. First, she shocked World No. 225 Iryna Shymanovich in straight units. She then beat Zarina Diyas, as soon as ranked within the top-50, and Mei Yamaguchi earlier than being knocked out by World No. 117 Jil Teichmann within the semifinals.
Maaya’s aggressive baseline sport is outlined by deep groundstrokes off each flanks. Her means to shortly cost to the online and play elegant volleys enhances her fearless, attacking mindset, making her a formidable opponent.
In an interplay with The Hindu, {the teenager}, who appears as much as Aryna Sabalenka, spoke about her fashion of play and the way she handles strain. “I like being aggressive on the courtroom,” she mentioned. “I really feel I deal with the strain properly. That’s as a result of I’ve been enjoying so many three-set matches lately, so I’m used to dealing with the strain and I don’t take into consideration the rest whereas enjoying. I play for the purpose, I keep within the second, and that will get me by way of the strain.”
To take her sport to the following stage, Maaya might deal with refining her first serve, enhancing her drop shot, and constructing higher bodily energy. Over the following few years, prioritising health might be essential, and with enchancment in these areas, she will be able to turn out to be certainly one of India’s brightest prospects.
Chatting with The Hindu, Maaya’s coach, Manoj Kumar, shared his ideas on her progress, areas for enchancment and becoming a member of Nadal’s academy. “I first noticed her in 2020 when she was simply 10. What instantly struck me was her confidence. At the moment, I by no means imagined she would obtain a lot in such a brief span. What stands out most about her is her psychological fortitude — If I needed to sum it up in a single phrase, I might say fearless.
Swinging with freedom: Maaya’s attacking baseline sport is characterised by deep groundstrokes off each flanks. | Picture credit score: Emmanual Yogini
“There’s room for enchancment in all features of her sport — she’s nonetheless very younger. If I have been to single out one space, it could be consistency along with her first serves. Whereas her serve has turn out to be extra highly effective, the proportion of profitable first serves wants to enhance.
“Moreover, I’d like her so as to add extra selection to her sport by engaged on her internet play. The positives, nonetheless, are that she’s a really aggressive baseline participant, which is undoubtedly her energy.
Sharpening her sport
“She has been capable of compete within the ITF juniors circuit, initially in J30, J60, and J100 tournaments, and has proven wonderful promise. At the beginning of final yr, although, we did push her to a better stage of competitors, and she or he struggled at first. However fixed publicity to harder competitors has sharpened her sport, and the outcomes at the moment are seen,” mentioned Manoj.
“Two years in the past, when she was 13, I advised her dad and mom that if she stored profitable within the U-14, U-16, and U-18 classes, she’d want to contemplate transferring to Europe. The competitors there’s unmatched, with harder tournaments, high academies, and a excessive stage of publicity. It’s the perfect place to unlock her full potential.
“Being observed and coaching at Rafa’s academy is prestigious. Incomes a full scholarship and having the prospect to coach with the perfect speaks volumes about her expertise. It’s clear that they see one thing particular in her. With the Mumbai match making a buzz, she must deal with her sport, and every part else will observe.”
Maaya has loved large success within the junior Nationwide ranks, profitable titles in each singles and doubles throughout the U-12, U-14, U-16, and U-18 classes. 2023 proved to be a landmark yr. Not solely did she win 25 consecutive matches, however she additionally received a formidable 5 singles titles and three doubles titles on the ITF circuit.
In January 2025, she reached one other main milestone by profitable her sixth worldwide singles title, the celebrated J300 occasion in Delhi, the most important junior ITF triumph of her profession thus far.
Maaya’s travelling coach and former India participant Shivika Burman mirrored on what makes her ward particular. “I’ve identified her since she was 12. I first travelled along with her for an under-12 match in Kazakhstan, representing India. The self-discipline she had doing all of the small issues proper was wonderful to look at.
Stepping it up: Coach Manoj Kumar believes ‘engaged on her internet play’ and ‘bettering the consistency of her first serve’ will assist Maaya’s sport develop additional. | Picture credit score: Emmanual Yogini
“Earlier than the semifinal when all the opposite youngsters have been falling unwell, Maaya checked out me and mentioned, ‘We’ve bought this’. Although she misplaced to her opponent in that match, her perspective and the need to struggle it out was simply astounding.
“She has a really totally different sport in comparison with the remainder of the children. She is tremendous aggressive. Not simply that, however she has a tremendous thoughts as properly. There’s one thing about her that makes her particular. At that age, to have that sort of confidence is phenomenal.”
It’s onerous to consider Maaya is simply 15 if you observe the poise with which she carries herself. She exudes an simple sense of assurance, but stays grounded and considerate in the way in which she speaks. Her quiet, highly effective self-belief units her other than her friends.
Help system
This distinctive high quality probably owes itself in some half to her assist system, her dad and mom. For Rajeshwaran, employed at Mondelez Worldwide (Cadbury), nothing is sweeter than seeing his daughter thrive in a aggressive ambiance. Her unassuming mom Revathi radiates an unimaginable calmness, which may be seen in Maaya’s on-court performances.
Maaya first picked up a racquet on the age of eight, coaching at a small academy in Salem, Tamil Nadu, the place her father was stationed. Inside a number of years, as her expertise started to unfold, Rajeshwaran, the household’s sole supplier, relocated them to Coimbatore in the hunt for higher tennis prospects. To assist her teaching and residing bills, he took out loans, all whereas persevering with to work in Salem.
Whereas Rajeshwaran continues to work tirelessly to assist them, Revathi focuses on nurturing Maaya’s goals. Their shared dedication to Maaya’s future has led them to make nice sacrifices, united by their perception in her potential.
Having debuted within the WTA rankings at World No. 646 after her Mumbai run, Maaya’s journey has simply begun. The world is watching as she appears to craft one magical second at a time.
Revealed – February 15, 2025 12:46 am IST
