B. Shrivalli Rashmikaa started playing tennis for fun and fitness nine years ago, but it soon became her passion and when she won her first-ever ITF singles title in Grade V category in Vietnam on Sunday, the joy of the Hyderabadi was pretty much understandable.
A student of Delhi Public School, Shrivalli fine-tuned her skills under the tutelage of Praveen Kumar at Ace Tennis Academy and is now more fitter and faster, thanks to trainer M. Srikanth’s efforts.
She now certainly believes that her big win could be the turning point in her career as it is her first singles title, the earlier first major title being the ITF doubles, partnering U.S. girl Kate Lafrance, in Mauritius last October.
This young talent is aware that despite being good with her serve and forehand, she needs to “focus on consistency and construction of points”.
“Frankly, I came to Vietnam to pick some points and never really expected to win the title. It’s a tough event, but the semifinal win over seventh-seeded Pei Yu Lai of Taipei (6-1, 4-6, 6-4) made me believe that I had a chance and I am glad I pulled it off in the final against the top-seeded Yujiao Che of China,” says the young talent, who was second-seeded in that event.
With her parents – Prasad, a chartered accountant, and Rajashri, a homemaker – going all out to let their daughter pursue her passion, Shrivalli is aiming big now. “By virtue of this win, I will pick up some valuable ITF ranking points which should help me compete in the Grade III and II events in the near future,” she says, ahead of her second ITF event in Vietnam.
A big fan of Swiss great Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova, this 15-year-old tennis player is determined to do well at the highest level.
“Right now, I am competing in these ITF events with the support of Asterminds Enterprise Solutions, DPS Nacharam,” she says.
Will Shrivalli be the next big star in women’s tennis, only the time will tell.