<p>Bengaluru: Currently ranked 286 in the world, Ankita Raina is seemingly the most popular name after Sania Mirza with regards to women’s tennis in the country. </p><p>The 32-year-old Ankita is no stranger to the struggles of surviving on tour and thriving in the cut-throat professional world. After years of being India’s top singles women’s player, Ankita is still ever-so-hungry to keep improving. </p><p>Her fight to stay alive even when the body refused to hold up was once again on display during her first-round win against Russia’s 21-year-old Daria Kudashova. </p>.Ankita Raina lone Indian to receive direct entry in ITF Women's Open.<p>“I was feeling a bit uneasy on court today,” said Ankita in a post-match interview.</p><p>“I felt like throwing up twice. Though the momentum was on my side, that sort of changed it a bit for me physically. But I’m happy and proud that I pulled it off.”</p><p>The Ahmedabad girl, who has been hopping countries with little break in between, landed in the city after winning the doubles title in New Delhi last week partnering Great Britain’s Naiktha Bains. It was the duo’s maiden ITF trophy, who had reached the title round in their very first outing as a pair in Burswood, Australia back in September last year. </p>.<p>“We made it to the finals but unfortunately we couldn't play in it as Naiktha twisted her ankle while warming up right before stepping on the court. So we had to pull out.”</p><p>In Bengaluru, at the ongoing KPB Trust Women’s Open, though, the pair was defeated in the doubles' first-round match on Tuesday. </p><p>“That’s how tennis works,” reasoned Ankita who is hopeful of positive results in the future. </p>.<p>“She has got a lot of experience and she has also made the top-100 in doubles. I think our styles complement each other and we are enjoying ourselves playing together.” While Ankita had reached 93 in 2021, Naiktha had the best ranking of 87 in 2023 in women's doubles world-ranking list. </p><p>With a new season underway, Ankita insisted that she no more sets an yearly goal and prefers to take things one tournament at a time. </p><p>“I have been on the tour for so many years now. There is always a goal in the back of your head. But I’m going to schedule events depending on how I'm doing and feeling on court,” offered the tennis player. </p><p>And up next in her 'one step at a time' pursuit is top seed Tatjana Maria who has a head-to-head advantage of 2-0.</p><p>“I have played her twice before. The way she is performing even after being a mother of two is inspiring. It will be a good match,” she signed off. </p>
<p>Bengaluru: Currently ranked 286 in the world, Ankita Raina is seemingly the most popular name after Sania Mirza with regards to women’s tennis in the country. </p><p>The 32-year-old Ankita is no stranger to the struggles of surviving on tour and thriving in the cut-throat professional world. After years of being India’s top singles women’s player, Ankita is still ever-so-hungry to keep improving. </p><p>Her fight to stay alive even when the body refused to hold up was once again on display during her first-round win against Russia’s 21-year-old Daria Kudashova. </p>.Ankita Raina lone Indian to receive direct entry in ITF Women's Open.<p>“I was feeling a bit uneasy on court today,” said Ankita in a post-match interview.</p><p>“I felt like throwing up twice. Though the momentum was on my side, that sort of changed it a bit for me physically. But I’m happy and proud that I pulled it off.”</p><p>The Ahmedabad girl, who has been hopping countries with little break in between, landed in the city after winning the doubles title in New Delhi last week partnering Great Britain’s Naiktha Bains. It was the duo’s maiden ITF trophy, who had reached the title round in their very first outing as a pair in Burswood, Australia back in September last year. </p>.<p>“We made it to the finals but unfortunately we couldn't play in it as Naiktha twisted her ankle while warming up right before stepping on the court. So we had to pull out.”</p><p>In Bengaluru, at the ongoing KPB Trust Women’s Open, though, the pair was defeated in the doubles' first-round match on Tuesday. </p><p>“That’s how tennis works,” reasoned Ankita who is hopeful of positive results in the future. </p>.<p>“She has got a lot of experience and she has also made the top-100 in doubles. I think our styles complement each other and we are enjoying ourselves playing together.” While Ankita had reached 93 in 2021, Naiktha had the best ranking of 87 in 2023 in women's doubles world-ranking list. </p><p>With a new season underway, Ankita insisted that she no more sets an yearly goal and prefers to take things one tournament at a time. </p><p>“I have been on the tour for so many years now. There is always a goal in the back of your head. But I’m going to schedule events depending on how I'm doing and feeling on court,” offered the tennis player. </p><p>And up next in her 'one step at a time' pursuit is top seed Tatjana Maria who has a head-to-head advantage of 2-0.</p><p>“I have played her twice before. The way she is performing even after being a mother of two is inspiring. It will be a good match,” she signed off. </p>