Exclusive: Interview with Indian tennis star Ankita Raina – Balancing national pride and personal goals

In an exclusive interview with Zee News, we had the privilege of interacting with Indian tennis sensation Ankita Raina. At the first ever official Wimbledon screening in India, we discuss Ankita’s remarkable journey, remarkable achievements and the challenges she faces as her country’s representative. With an illustrious career that includes WTA Tour titles and numerous victories on the ITF Circuit, Raina has come to symbolize Indian excellence in the sport of tennis.

Who is Ankita Raina?

Ankita Ravinderkrishna Raina has consistently maintained India’s number one position in both singles and doubles. With an impressive run of achievements including a WTA-level doubles title and a gold medal at the South Asian Games, Raina has cemented her position as one of India’s top tennis stars.

Sharing his excitement about his career highlights and notable victories, Raina said, “It has always been a dream to play for the country since childhood. Every time I play with India written on my T-shirt, So it’s a completely different feeling.” She noted her outstanding performance in the Fed Cup, particularly her win over top 30 player Yulia Putintseva in 2018. Raina’s victories at the South Asian Games and the Asian Games, where she won gold and bronze medals respectively, further cemented his place among India’s tennis elite.

Raina emphasized the unique pressure that comes from representing India in international competitions, saying, “It’s not just about me; I bring the whole team together when I play in these tournaments.” He also discussed the challenges of managing support staff and the financial constraints faced by tennis players and said, “In tennis, traveling schedules are demanding, and it becomes challenging to have a dedicated support staff for each tournament. Being a team together makes a team.” Absolute difference.”

Inspiration of Sania Mirza

Raina heaped praise on fellow tennis player Sania Mirza, saying, “Sania Mirza has been a great player. She has won Grand Slams and achieved many things, which has inspired us all.” He further added, “Being the sole representative of India at Grand Slams and big stages makes you feel proud, but you also have the responsibility to live up to the country’s expectations.”

future of indian tennis

Raina lauded the budding talent in the country and expressed optimism for the future of Indian tennis. He acknowledged the challenges faced by sportspersons such as the need for better infrastructure and resources, but stressed the importance of nurturing young talent and providing them opportunities to excel.