She trains at the NVK Tennis Academy where the coaches – S. Narendranath and Vasudeva Reddy - were products of an era when they battled adversity on all fronts to emerge as premier players of their time. Characteristics which are bound to be an inspiration for all the trainees at the Madhapur Academy now.
So, when the gifted Sama Sathwika won the doubles title partnering Shivani Ingle and then finished runner-up in singles in the Fenesta Nationals (under-18) tennis championship in Delhi last week, it was another reminder that this Hyderabadi is slowly but steadily making the big steps in the circuit with a touch of confidence.
In fact, when Sathwika won the ITF Grade IV title in Malaysia early this year, she has clearly meant business in the days to come.
With long training sessions under the tutelage of the two dedicated coaches at the Academy, she is keen to improve with each tournament and she seems to be on course if her three title-triumphs in the last couple of weeks is any indication.
The biggest positive in her game of late is that Sathwika is more confident once she enters the court. She seems not to be overawed by either the reputation of the opponent or given the match situation. “This is one thing I feel I am really more comfortable. There is no fear absolutely now,” she feels.
Wit the GVK Foundation sponsoring her, Sathwika may not be faulted for dreaming big. “It is a long grind out there in the circuit. But, I am ready for any challenge. I back myself because I have the intense desire to keep improving, picking up new aspects of the game to be a much better player,” she says even while acknowledging the sobering influence of Ganesh Raman of Bowenpally and Vasudeva Reddy.
Like many, Sathwika ventured on to a tennis court initially just to stay fit but soon developed a fascination from the sports which could not desist her from competing in age group events and then slowly look far beyond that category. “I am lucky to have parents particularly my father (senior police officer I. Jayaram) for extending all the support to me,” she says.
Her three-month stint at the Elite Tennis Academy in Barcelona in 2012 now seems to be having the desired impact in the long run in her growth as a tennis player. “The mental approach is so different after that stint and that’s what I try to keep improving,” she says.
For someone whose role models include Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova and Hyderabad’s very own phenomenon Sania Mirza, Sathwika is keen to join the elite group but doesn’t want to talk big. “Let the results be there. Let me not talk about what I dream to achieve. Yes, I want to play in Grand Slams and know what kind of effort I have to put in to realise that goal,” she says.
