'I love moving on clay': Maaya Rajeshwaran on favourite surface, managing expenses and meeting Rafael Nadal

Fifteen-year-old, Maaya Rajeshwaran, recently became first Indian to reach the semi-final of a home event after Sania Mirza.

Five matches in one week. A wildcard entry that almost didn’t happen. A semi-final run that made history. Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi is just 15, but her journey at the Mumbai Open WTA 125 was anything but ordinary. From an unranked junior to breaking into the WTA rankings inside the Top 700, her fearless brand of tennis turned heads.

And the cherry on top? She became the first Indian to reach the semifinals of a home WTA event since Sania Mirza.

In an interaction with Khel Now, she shares her behind the scenes, goals and ambitions.

A star is born

Maaya didn’t even plan to play in Mumbai. A last-minute wildcard changed everything. “Honestly speaking, I didn’t expect me to make it that far,” she admitted.

But five matches later which included three grueling back-to-back encounters, she found herself staring at a spot in the final. That dream was cut short by former under 25 Jil Teichmann, but Maaya walked off the court with her head held high.

The Mumbai crowd adored her. The cheers, the energy, the unrelenting support, she soaked it all in. “I didn’t expect so many people to come and watch. I was very grateful that I had a huge support base in Mumbai. I think that too made a difference in a few matches,” she said.

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The Rafa connection

Maaya’s talent has been on the radar for a while. Last year, she earned a scholarship to train at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Spain. She’s trained there for a few months now, but one moment stands out. “Meeting Rafa was also very nice,” she said, almost casually.

She elaborated: “He’s a very humble person. He doesn’t make you feel like he’s superior. He made everyone really comfortable. And I was glad that he came and watched me play. That was very nice of him.”

Nadal’s academy is known for its world-class training and emphasis on mental strength. Traits Maaya already possesses in abundance.

Also Read: Top five tennis players who graduated from Rafael Nadal Academy

A mindset beyond her years

Her game is powerful, varied, and precise. But what sets her apart? Her ability to reset between points, her stamina, her mental steel. These aren’t traits commonly associated with 15-year-olds.

Her backstory explains it. “My parents were keen for me to play a sport certainly professionally but at least I had to do something with sport after school and the first option was tennis because there were three tennis academies right around my house,” she recalled.

Her father believed that sports would instill discipline. Tennis started as a routine, not a passion. “I wouldn’t say it was accidental, but I gradually fell in love with the sport. It was not like a first sight kind of thing. But yeah, I decided to go pro when I was 10.”

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Sacrifices and support

Going pro at 10 is one thing but having a family that backs you unconditionally? That’s rare. “Actually, one thing I’m really grateful for is that my parents were very supportive of my decision. Even when I was 10, they were always respectful of my choice.”

But that support has come at a cost. “We can’t travel with my dad because it’s expensive. So my dad stays back home and will try to travel if it’s in Asia or India. My mom always travels with me. That is one of the major sacrifices they made, and hopefully, it pays off someday.”

Her mother, Revathi, is her rock and she knows Maaya’s game inside-out. During matches, she usually sits in the furthest corner to manage her nerves. But during the semifinals against Jil Teichmann, she moved to the coaches’ box.

Also Read: Who is Maaya Rajeshwaran? All you need to about latest teen sensation in Indian tennis

Dreaming big

The short-term target is clear. “The main goal is to win a junior slam. I’m still a junior, so yeah, for now, that’s the focus.”

Her favourite player? Serena Williams. “Unfortunately, she’s retired. Her current favourite player is Aryna Sabalenka. “I believe she has a similar game style and mindset like Serena.” Unlike the 23-time Grand Slam champion, though, Maaya prefers slower hard courts and red clay. “I love moving on clay. Back in India, I used to train on clay. So yeah, clay is always my favourite surface.”

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The beginning, not the peak

Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi has arrived. The Mumbai Open was her introduction to the world. But this is just the start.

Talent? She has it. The right mindset? Without a doubt. Support? Stronger than ever. And with the backing of one of the greatest tennis players of all time, she’s set for something special.

What’s next? Watch this space. India might just have found its next tennis star.

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