New kid on the court

[1]

Recently Sania Mirza, India’s pin-up girl in tennis, expressed her concern about the future of women’s tennis in India by saying, “Right now it is not looking good, because there is no one after me who is competing in (Grand) Slams. But I do hope that soon there will be someone because I too will retire one day!”

But perhaps, the future of women’s tennis in India is not so bleak as another Hyderabadi, Y. Pranjala, is making giant strides in the highly enduring sport. Pranjala, an eighth standard student of Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Begumpet, last week marked one more significant milestone on her way to reaching the pinnacle — by winning the under-12 and under-16 singles titles and under-16 doubles title, partnering Sruta Kirti in the AITA Super Series held at Guwahati. The 12-year-old is currently ranked India No.1 in the U-12 category.

Pranjala’s career, though still in its early stage, can be summarised in two words — rapid progress. For a girl, who took up professional tennis just four years ago and first played an AITA (All India Tennis Association) Talent Series in 2009, 19 Talent Series titles, five Championship Series crowns and four Super Series trophies is not a meagre achievement by any stretch of imagination.

“Pranjala’s progress has been superb. The good thing about her is she does exactly what I want her to do. There are no ifs and buts,” said Pranjala’s coach, M. Sanjay Kumar.

“Also her parents have been great. Usually like in case the other good youngsters who had worked under me, the parents are too anxious and get involved in the training aspects a little too much. But Pranjala’s parents have been very understanding,” said Kumar, who was also the coach of Sania in her younger days.

A big factor in the rapid progress Pranjala is making is perhaps her determination and positive attitude towards the game. Pranjala hits the tennis court at 7.30 am before leaving for school at 9.30. And after school, when her classmates enjoy the evening breeze in a park, Pranjala would be going through her paces under her coach.

“I don’t usually watch a lot of TV. When I am not training, I complete my class assignments. I usually watch TV only when a tennis match is going on,” she says.

Taking note of her focus in the game, perhaps her coach may not be wrong when he says, “Pranjala will be the next Sania or perhaps even bigger in coming years.”

“She is very focused and cool-headed for her age. There is no screaming when she loses a point and fist pumping when she wins it. She just moves on to the next point,” he added. No wonder this girl looks up to the ever-calm Roger Federer when it comes to the game.

Perhaps if one wants to be a cruel critic and point out a ‘shortcoming’, it would be her serve. “I think I have to work on my serve,” said Pranjala. “With her level of commitment I don’t think it would take time for to perfect it,” says Kumar. “By the time she is 16 I see her playing Junior Grand Slams.”

Perhaps, the future of Indian women’s tennis is here.