All India Tennis Federation adds Hyderabad girls to India squad to be led by Ankita Raina
Posted Date – 07:20 AM, Wed – 21 June 23
Hyderabad: Hyderabad’s 22-year-old tennis player Sahaja Yamalapalli was ecstatic when he heard that he had been selected for the Indian team for the upcoming Asian Games.
The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has included the Hyderabad girl in the India team led by Ankita Raina. After her choice, the youngster said it was a dream come true moment.
“I am very happy and excited to represent my country for the first time. I never thought that I would represent India in the Asian Games. I have always seen players representing their country and I wondered what it would be like. Now I am a member of the Indian team It gave me great joy to be part of it,” she said.
Asked if he was nervous before the announcement, Sahaja said, “I didn’t think about it until recently when I got the news that they were picking teams for the Asian Games. I’m really looking forward to the selections. I know them. To be in the top five, and I’m No. 4, I’m kind of looking forward to it, but I’m not sure.”
She also believes that being selected for the Indian team is a big boost for future development. “It (team selection) is really a big deal. Representing India in the Asian Games is not easy. It motivates me to work harder. I want to do my best and win a medal for the country”
Sahaja has come a long way in the last two years. When she wins her first ITF title in March 2022, she will be ranked 1290 in the world. By July of the same year, she had jumped to No. 570 and became India’s sixth-ranked player after capturing her second title.
She is currently ranked No. 380 in the WTA rankings and is expected to break into the top 200 by the end of the year. “The goal is to be in the top 200 in the world by the end of the year so I can play Grand Slams next,” she revealed.
Sahaja, who trains under coach Cesar Morales at the PBI Tennis Academy at the Dravid Sports Center of Excellence in Padukone, Bangalore, said winning her first ITF title changed everything for her. “After winning my first ITF title, I started to believe that I could do better. I started working harder and things started going my way. I focused on the process and believed that I could improve my ranking”.
“Training under coach Morales has changed the way I play. It’s been here since I joined. They helped me transition from collegiate level to professional tennis. Playing ITF tournaments overseas has boosted my spirits. Strong. I got stronger and matured physically and mentally. My moments on the court got faster. Every level got harder and pushed me forward,” she concluded.
Squad: Men: Sumit Nagal, Sasikumar Mukund, Ramkumar Ramanathan, Yuki Bhambri, Rohan Bopanna and Saketh Myneni
Women’s Division: Ankita Raina, Karman Kaur Thandi, Rutuja Bhosale, Sahaja Yamalapalli, Vaidehi Chaudhari, Prarthana Thombare.
