Synopsis
Ankita Raina expresses her excitement about returning to the Mumbai Open WTA 125 Series, where she achieved a decisive victory over Vaishnavi Adkari. The tournament offers invaluable opportunities for Indian players to face top-tier competitors.Key Takeaways
- Ankita Raina wins her first match at Mumbai Open.
- Next challenge against second seed Rebecca Marino.
- Grateful for wildcard entry from MSLTA.
- Collaboration with former ATP player Harsh Mankad.
- Emphasizes continuous self-improvement in tennis.
Mumbai, Feb 4 (NationPress) Ankita Raina is thrilled to return to the Mumbai Open WTA 125 Series, currently being held at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai. The former Indian number one achieved a convincing 6-2, 6-2 victory against fellow Indian Vaishnavi Adkari, securing her advancement to the Round of 16.
Next, she faces the second seed, Rebecca Marino from Canada.
The 32-year-old, who boasts extensive experience on the circuit, shared her thoughts on the tournament, stating, “I’m pleased to be back in Mumbai for the Mumbai Open. This marks my fourth or fifth year participating. I extend my gratitude to the MSLTA team and tournament directors, Sunder Iyer and Prashant Sutar, for granting me the wildcard. This event offers an excellent platform for Indian players to compete against some of the world's best.”
Reflecting on her performance that allowed her to progress, she noted, “I haven’t faced her before, but we have practiced together recently. I believe I started strong, and I recognized that she is also an aggressive player. Hence, I knew what to anticipate and I’m excited to compete against her.”
Ankita is currently collaborating with Harsh Mankad, a former ATP professional player who has represented India in the Davis Cup. She shed some light on their partnership.
“He’s providing invaluable support, given his experience in this league. We're experimenting with new strategies. Although he’s based in the United States, we're optimistic about the development, and I appreciate having his support.”
The seasoned tennis player reflected on her professional journey, stating, “I believe I've been in this position for quite a while, around 10-11 years. I’ve navigated this journey and even now, I maintain the same mindset I had back then. I consider myself my own competition, and I would advise upcoming players to focus on being better than they were yesterday. Continuous improvement is essential, especially if one aims to compete at the grand slams, which is the ultimate goal.”
