Exclusive | ‘The next big factor’ in Indian tennis blooming under Rafael Nadal’s watchful eyes: Maaya Rajeshwaran | Tennis News

NEW DELHI: “Learning, enjoying, and sharing time and experiences with these young and talented players,” 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 women, and to his proper, 4 extra. On his far proper, one may 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 spite of everything, 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 together with her distinctive efficiency on the Mumbai Open earlier this 12 months.
But here is a enjoyable reality: Mumbai wasn’t even on her calendar at first of the 12 months.
“First of all, playing the Mumbai Open wasn’t even part of the plan. My wildcard was confirmed just 2 days before the tournament,” Maaya, born to father Rajeshwaran and mom Revathi in a Tamil household, informed TimesofIndia.com in an unique chat. “I was very confident that I’d compete well. Honestly, I didn’t expect that I’d make it that far, but I just played match by match and gave my best.”
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 Club of India and have become the primary 2009-born participant to make semi-final of a WTA 125 occasion, some even clasped their palms in prayer, hoping for an outlandish title win. But a defeat to 27-year-old Jil Teichmann in the semis introduced Maaya’s dream run to an finish.

“After losing in the semi-finals, I was a bit upset because I didn’t play as well as I hoped I would. But I had a lot of positives to take away from the Mumbai Open,” added the rising star following the perfect sequence of outcomes in her skilled circuit thus far.
Even tennis was not a part of Maaya’s plan till she turned eight. For her, it was initially only a “recreational sport” after faculty.
She determined to go professional when she was 10. At the center of her journey are her mother and father, who, in Maaya’s phrases, have been extremely supportive.

“I’m so blessed that my mom can travel with me. My home has always been my family, and also, I have a very good support system back home. Sometimes, I do miss them a lot,” she informed TimesofIndia.com. “But specifically, I miss my dad so much. I’m very close to both my parents. I think if my dad would also be with me, I would feel very much like home.”
At such a younger age, staying overseas could make anybody homesick. Yet, that is precisely what Maaya had at all times needed. She recalled, “We were looking for a base in Europe last year, and the invitation from the Rafa Nadal Academy was quite surprising. But we were very happy 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 “next big thing” in Indian tennis. “I’m definitely not worried about that. In fact, it’s very supportive and encouraging to see people believe in me,” she added.

Currently, she is extra into wading via the pages of the novel “The Palace of Illusions” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni as Maya mirrored, “If I could tell something to my younger self now, it would be to trust myself and the good people around me, no matter what happened, no matter if I didn’t win, I just had to do what I love to do with all my heart.”
You’ve most likely heard these sayings: A life and not using a objective is sort of a ship and not using a rudder, a automotive and not using a steering wheel… or, for tennis followers, Rafael Nadal and not using a Grand Slam (not fairly a well-known one but), however you get the concept.
What is it that at all times drives Maaya?
“The ultimate goal for me is to become the world no. 1 and win slams,” sighed the present world no. 1 Aryna Sabalenka’s aficionado.