Maaya eager to hone her talent on the Rafa Nadal Academy

Studying curve: Maaya seems to work on the depth a part of
her recreation.

At 15, kids are typically in that section the place they’re nonetheless determining what they need to do.

However not Maaya Rajeshwaran. She’s removed from the common teenager and has already earned a scholarship to the distinguished Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain, and on Sunday made historical past by turning into the youngest Indian to earn a WTA level when she certified for the singles major draw of the L&T Mumbai Open.

On Tuesday on the Cricket Membership of India right here, she gave one more glimpse of why she was extremely rated, by ousting Belarusian World No. 225 Iryna Shymanovich – as excessive as 154 in June 2023 – 6-4, 6-1 to enter the second spherical.

In a power-packed efficiency, the Indian broke Shymanovich decisively within the tenth recreation of the primary set, and within the second and sixth video games of the second earlier than closing out the match with consecutive aces.

“Thus far, it’s been good,” Maaya instructed The Hindu on Tuesday on her tennis journey to date. “I want to enhance my depth whereas enjoying. On the senior stage, even when they [opponents] don’t play their greatest on a specific day, they’ll nonetheless discover a solution to win. I can’t afford to be careless. If I drop my depth, they are going to beat me.”

However her expertise on the Rafa Nadal Academy – and the forthcoming stint – ought to maintain her in good stead.

“I’m actually pleased they took me in, as we had been in search of a base in Europe,” she stated. “I’m formally becoming a member of this yr, however I’ve already educated there for the final two to 3 months. It’s a really skilled setting for athletes.”

Maaya, who has set herself the purpose of enjoying the three remaining junior Grand Slams and breaking into the top-10 by year-end, said that World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka was her idol. “She’s a really aggressive participant with a troublesome mindset, and I actually look as much as her”.