"It's one of my most favourite memories."
Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi, the 16-year-old from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, is fast becoming one of Indian tennis’ brightest hopes.
After a viral photo with Rafael Nadal in 2024, the teen has continued to make headlines, this time for her debut at the 2025 Wimbledon juniors.
Maaya defeated China’s Shiye Ye in the first round of the qualifiers and pushed Spain’s Eugenia Menendez to three sets in the next match.
Although she lost, Menendez went on to reach the semi-finals, underscoring the level of Maaya’s competition and composure under pressure.
She began playing tennis at eight and at age 10, she announced her intention to turn professional.
Her early promise caught the attention of the Rafa Nadal Academy, where she now trains.
Maaya said: “It’s one of my most favourite memories.
“Even a man that’s won so much, he’s still got that hunger and that’s really impressive.”
Before arriving at Wimbledon, Maaya had already made a name for herself on both junior and senior circuits.
She earned her first ITF wins by age 14, claiming victories in tournaments in Chennai and Hyderabad. She entered the global spotlight after joining the ITF circuit at 13.
Her recent run at the Mumbai Open was even more striking.
She beat seasoned players such as Iryna Shymanovich, Mei Yamaguchi, and former World No. 31 Zarina Diyas.
The WTA highlighted her achievement, stating she is “the first player born in 2009 to reach this stage of a main draw at this level”.
As of May 19, 2025, Maaya holds a WTA singles ranking of 653, just shy of her career-best 642. She also sits at No. 57 in the ITF Junior Rankings, having peaked at 56 earlier this year.
Born on June 12, 2009, Maaya’s introduction to tennis was unexpected.
What began as a casual after-school activity soon turned into a serious pursuit.
She initially trained with former India No. 1 KG Ramesh, before moving to Pro Serve Tennis Academy, where she’s spent the last five years under the guidance of coach Manoj Kumar.
Her aggressive, power-driven style has drawn comparisons to Serena Williams and Aryna Sabalenka.
Off the court, she credits her inspiration to both Nadal and India’s Sania Mirza, athletes known for their drive and resilience.
With a growing list of wins, a strong support system, and a calm head on young shoulders, Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi is no longer just a promising name in Indian tennis; she’s a force to watch on the global stage.
Loading ...