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Despite a first-round loss at the Mumbai Open, 16-year-old Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi is demonstrating the poise and dedication of a future champion, fueled by intensive training and a rapidly evolving mental game.
The young Indian tennis player returned to the scene of her breakthrough run at the Mumbai Open WTA 125K a year older and visibly different from the teen who had reached a historic semifinal last year. Kitted out in the latest Nike collection and accompanied by her coach from the Rafa Nadal Academy, Revathi showcased a physically stronger build, a testament to an intense year of competition she described as a “mental rollercoaster.” While she fell to Thailand’s Lanlana Tararudee 3-6, 2-6 in the first round, the experience is viewed as a crucial learning opportunity in her burgeoning career.
From Breakthrough to Building: A Year of Growth
Revathi’s journey over the past year has been marked by significant development, both on and off the court. Having earned her first WTA ranking points following her impressive Mumbai Open run, she has been focused on refining her game and building the physical and mental fortitude required to compete at the highest levels. Currently ranked 56th in the juniors, Revathi acknowledges the need for continued improvement. “Lots of lessons learned in terms of what I’ve been working on recently,” she stated after the match. “To be honest, I wasn’t very happy with the way I was playing in November-December. But I think I started pretty well here, looking at progress and things that I’ve been working on, I do see a bit of improvement.”
A key component of this development has been her scholarship and training at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain. Despite facing some visa challenges that limited her time there, Revathi absorbed invaluable experience surrounded by professional players and, at times, observing the legendary Rafael Nadal and his coach, Toni Nadal. This exposure is proving transformative for the young athlete.
Physical Transformation and Strategic Focus
Revathi’s dedication to physical conditioning is evident. At 15, gym time was limited, but now, at 16, she has demonstrably increased her muscle mass and stature through dedicated training. Her coach, Polina Radeva, emphasized the importance of continued strength development. “We don’t build a lot of mass at the moment obviously, but it’s one of the biggest objectives that we have for Maaya, because she’s a very aggressive player and to maintain that style, she needs to gain more strength, both in the legs and the upper body as well,” Radeva explained. “Right now, we’re competing a lot, but hopefully when we get the chance to have a proper training block, we could focus on those things.”
Beyond physical gains, Revathi and her team are actively working to expand her tactical arsenal. She recognizes the need to develop “more weapons” to overcome increasingly challenging opponents. “I’m not used to playing someone like Lanlana today. She’s not someone who’s going to give me opportunities to finish the point, I have to run down every shot. But at the higher level, players are not going you those points. So, I think this was a step where I could learn about finding more weapons to beat them, to add more weapons to my game.”
Perhaps the most significant transformation has been in Revathi’s mental resilience. She has demonstrated a growing emotional maturity, acknowledging the complexities of a professional athlete’s life and the challenges of navigating both success and setbacks. The past year has been a “huge roller coaster,” she admitted, with moments of overwhelming pressure and periods of self-doubt.
Revathi was candid about a recent confidence crisis that led her to withdraw emotionally. “I had a period of three months in between where I felt like I was not doing well… I was not calling anyone, I lost my confidence. But there were so many people around me who helped me. I am very lucky and very grateful that there were people who were pushing me, saying you’ve done it before, you can still do it again. Without the people around me, it would have been very difficult.” She recognizes the need for continued emotional growth, stating, “I think, I have to grow a bit more much emotionally, in terms of learning from the losses better.”
Looking Ahead: A Work in Progress
Despite the disappointment in Mumbai, and a recent setback in Melbourne, Revathi remains a fighter, according to her coach. She is actively working to overcome her tendency to dwell on losses and is focused on continuous improvement. “There’s still a long way to go as you saw today, but it’s a good first step to build. I’m happy to see that she’s working and thinking. For me, the most important thing is that she thinks on the court, to have an idea on why the mistakes are happening,” Radeva noted.
Revathi herself describes feeling “inside a small shell” that she is determined to break free from. “I feel like I’m inside a small shell and if that shell breaks out, I’ll be someone who I really want to be. I feel like to break out I’ll need a lot more experience, I’ll need to compete more. I’m just waiting for that moment when I will be able to break out of that. And once that happens, I think I’ll be good enough.” With her natural talent and the unwavering support of her team, Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi is poised to achieve significant success, with upcoming opportunities at the junior Grand Slams, WTA 125K events, and ITF tournaments – including a wildcard entry next week in Pune – all contributing to her continued ascent.
