/sportsinfo/media/member_avatars/image 59.png)
Follow Us/sportsinfo/media/media_files/2025/02/07/tN0ae8ycpGkqJG7YF5Ri.jpg)
Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi Photograph: (Instagram)
A 15-year-old girl from Coimbatore got a lifetime opportunity to train with legendary tennis player Rafael Nadal in Spain. Maaya Rajeshwaran is the tennis prodigy from Tamil Nadu who will now move to Mallorca, Spain, with a 100 percent scholarship to train at the Rafael Nadal Academy.
Maaya Rajeshwaran joins Rafael Nadal Academy
The Spanish tennis player is a legend of the game with 20+ grand slams and is now training young players and turning them into pros. Maaya Rajeshwaran is selected with a 100% scholarship. She will receive accommodation, training and match experience. Her fearless approach and confidence have impressed the academy during her WTA 125 tour matches. The WTA 125 is the second highest level in professional tennis, below the WTA tour.
After receiving a wildcard entry, Maaya defeated world no. 264 Nicole Fossa Huergo of Italy 6-3, 3-6 and 6-0 and world no. 434 Jessica Failla 7-6 (9), 1-6, 6-4 and became the youngest ever WTA point scorer for India. Then in the main draw, she defeated WTA No. 225 Iryna Shymanovich by 6-4, 6-1 in straight sets. Many already claim her to be a mix of Serena Williams and Aryna Sabalenka. All three of her opponents were professional tennis players and she emerged as the winner.
Maaya began her training when she was 8 years old and was coached by former Indian tennis player K.G. Ramesh. She has now been training under coach Manoj Kumar for the last five years. During the 2023 Australian Open, Maaya was invited by the organisers to play in the under-14 category. Maaya also played in the junior Grand Slam match but lost in the first round.
She is now the first Indian to get trained under the Rafael Nadal Academy. Maaya Rajeshwaran was invited to the academy last October. There were no matches or selection process; the academy just wanted to see the players doing their regular training. The Indian star was allowed to do her regular training. In training sessions, players will move across the court, smash the balls, and do endurance training. The academy runners noticed her skills and selected her for training.
Maaya will need to relocate to Spain for her training period and will definitely miss her coach, family and friends in Coimbatore. But upon return, she will be a more improved and exceptional tennis player who can raise the Indian flag high by winning the tennis grand slams for India.