Maaya Rajeshwaran, a rising young talent in Indian tennis, has made headlines by securing a spot in the semifinals of the Mumbai Open WTA 125 tournament. The 15-year-old prodigy showcased her exceptional skills at the Cricket Club of India, defeating high-ranked players in an extraordinary display of talent and determination.
Her journey through the tournament has been remarkable. Maaya claimed a hard-fought victory against Italy’s Nicole Fossa Huergo, ranked World No. 264, in a thrilling three-set match (6–3, 3–6, 6–0). She followed it up with another impressive win over Jessica Failla from the United States, ranked World No. 434, overcoming a tough challenge to triumph 7–6(9), 1–6, 6–4. These victories not only secured her a place in the semifinals but also made her the youngest Indian ever to earn a WTA point, highlighting her immense potential in the sport.
Receiving a qualifying wildcard from the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association, Maaya has seized the opportunity with both hands at this WTA 125 event, which sits just below the premier WTA Tour in prestige. Her playing style, which combines powerful baseline rallies with strategic net play, has drawn comparisons to some of the biggest names in tennis, including Serena Williams and Aryna Sabalenka. In the first round of the main draw, she dominated World No. 225 Iryna Shymanovich from Belarus, winning convincingly with a 6–4, 6–1 scoreline.
Born on June 12, 2009, in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Maaya’s foray into tennis began as an after-school activity before she discovered her passion for the sport at the age of eight. She initially trained under former India No. 1 K.G. Ramesh and later honed her skills at Pro Serve Tennis Academy under the guidance of coach Manoj Kumar for five years.
Despite this being only her fifth senior tournament, Maaya has shown remarkable composure and skill, earning admiration from tennis enthusiasts and professionals alike. A key milestone in her journey came with a week-long training stint at the renowned Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, where her talent was recognized, leading to a one-year contract with the academy. With plans to relocate to Spain this month, Maaya is preparing to further develop her game at one of the most prestigious training centers in the world.
Her experience at the academy included the opportunity to witness Rafael Nadal train ahead of his final Davis Cup appearance, an experience she describes as unforgettable. “Watching someone like Nadal train with the same intensity and passion after achieving so much was truly inspiring,” Maaya shared.
With her unwavering focus and extraordinary potential, Maaya Rajeshwaran is on the path to becoming one of India’s most promising tennis stars.
