Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
CHENNAI: Two weekends ago, it was the U-16 boys’ who qualified for the Junior Davis Cup Finals for the first time in five years. Then, it was the girls’ turn to follow suit last week by unlocking a Junior Fed Cup Finals berth on Thursday. Credit should go to Mahak Jain, Sathwika Sama and Shivani Ingle for pulling it off, but some praise should be reserved for captain Ankita Bhambri.While the 29-year-old wasn’t able to go beyond World No 332 in her playing days, she represented the country in 18 Fed Cup ties in five years. Even before that, however, she was part of the team that finished fifth in the Finals back in 2002 — India’s best-ever finish. “I’ve played on this stage as a youngster, so I know the competition is really tough. I was part of the team that finished fifth in the Finals. Thus, I do understand what the players are going through. This came in handy as captain,” she said.
The best thing, she says, was to keep the girls motivated and positive as the goal was to qualify. “Mahak and Sathwika took each match very seriously and that attitude came to the fore throughout — especially against Australia. Both have a good singles mentality. Shivani, meanwhile, was utilised as the doubles option.”
Ankita feels the Finals are a good learning experience for the girls and, hopefully, some of them can go on to achieve greater things. “The road ahead is tough, but this is one step in the right direction. In tennis, individual achievements take precedence over everything. This is the only competition where juniors get to experience team spirit. That’s why they love it,” she signed off.
