For the 24-year-old Prarthana Thombare, gearing up for her second Asian Games appearance next week, Sania Mirza has been a constant source of inspiration.
Even the lack of clarity as to with whom she will be playing — both in women’s and mixed doubles — is not a deterrent as Prarthana is clearly excited with Sania taking time off to give some “invaluable tips” to her on the recently-laid tennis courts (adjacent to Sania’s home) in Jubilee Hills here on Monday.
“I have so much to learn from her and Imran uncle (Sania’s father Imran Mirza). I do believe that I am much a better player now than say I was four years ago,” Prarthana told The Hindu .
Fresh from her significant women’s doubles win in the Manchester ITF $1lakh event partnering Luksika Kumkum of Thailand, the Solapur-born girl, insists the preparations have been really good. “I am pretty pleased with the results in Europe and UK recently. I am better prepared this time around for Asian Games,” she says.
“Frankly, I am always excited to play in Asian Games and the Olympics (she partnered Sania in Rio in women’s doubles).
It is a completely different experience out there,” the World No. 149 in women’s doubles said.
“Yes, I am very keen to improve upon my bronze medal in the Asiad and look at it as part of the preparations to break into the top 100 and qualify for the Australian Open.
“Since, I have no points to lose in Jakarta, I should enjoy the competition more this time around,” says the IOC officer who is sponsored by the Pune-based Lakshya Foundation.
Reflecting on her game, Prarthana feels her volleys, groundstrokes are much better now and that she is mentally much tougher to face the challenges.
“I played against most of the top Asian players and so I am not really concerned about the draw even though the Chinese and the Japanese players pose a big challenge,” concluded an optimistic Prarthana.
