Prarthana wins ITF women’s doubles title
Prarthana Thombare from the Sania Mirza Tennis Academy won her 10th ITF women’s doubles title at Puebla (Mexico) recently.
This is an impressive record for the 21-year-old tennis player for it was achieved from the 15 finals that she has appeared.
“It’s been an year now since I joined SMTA and I must say uncle Imran (Imran Mirza – father of Sania Mirza) has put in a tremendous effort to completely re-mould my game to meet international standards,” said Prarthana.
“My return of serve and volleys have improved a lot and it has helped me win 10 titles in the last 12 months,” she added.
“Now, I am focusing more on the physical part under the guidance of Sania Mirza and international physical trainer Robert Ballard at SMTA,” Prarthana said.
“It is a big challenge while playing with a new partner every time.
“Yes, given the option, in future I would love to stick to one partner as it will be easier to play together and eventually more results are bound to come,” she said.
Prarthana says that the first objective is to break into the top 200 in singles and 100 in women’s doubles.
“Yes, I am chasing the ultimate dream of playing for India in the Olympics some day,” she said.
“Tennis is an expensive game and I am glad that I have been partly supported by IOCL and Lakshya-Bharat but to move into the next grade, I do need bigger support and am hoping to find a big sponsor,” said Prarthana, who rates playing with her idol Sania Mirza in the Fed Cup in Astna in 2013 as the most memorable moment of her career.
“Of course, winning the Asian Games bronze in Korea was another proud moment” she said.
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