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Teen Sensation Maaya Rajeshwaran Returns to Mumbai Open with Wild Card

Sixteen-year-old Indian tennis sensation Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi has received a wild card entry into the main draw of the 2026 Mumbai Open WTA 125K Series. She returns to the tournament where she had a breakthrough run to the semifinals in the 2025 edition. Maaya will open her campaign against Thailand's fifth-seeded Lanlana Tararudee. The teenager expressed gratitude for the support from the MSLTA and views the expectations as a privilege rather than pressure.

Key Points: Maaya Rajeshwaran Returns to Mumbai Open WTA 125K

  • Wild card entry for 16-year-old
  • Faces 5th seed Lanlana Tararudee in opener
  • Building on 2025 semifinal run
  • Focused on skill improvement
2 min read

Teenage sensation Maaya Rajeshwaran returns to the 2026 Mumbai Open WTA 125K Series

16-year-old tennis star Maaya Rajeshwaran gets wild card for Mumbai Open WTA 125K. Read about her opening match and reflections on her 2025 breakthrough.

"I don't consider it as pressure. It's a privilege and an honour to be in my position... - Maaya Rajeshwaran"

Mumbai, Feb 1

The 16-year-old sensation Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi returns to the main draw as a wild card at the Mumbai Open WTA 125K Series, which will be held at the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association in Mumbai from February 2-8.

Maaya had her breakout tournament last season as she defeated several higher-ranked international players right from the qualifiers to the main draw semifinals. She was knocked out by eventual champion Jil Teichmann. In her second entry in Mumbai Open, Maaya will take on Thailand's fifth-seeded Lanlana Tararudee in the opening round of the Main Draw, as she looks to build on her impressive run at the tournament last year.

Reflecting on her breakthrough campaign at the 2025 edition of the Mumbai Open, Maaya said, "The 2025 Mumbai Open was one of my breakthrough tournaments, and I really enjoyed the challenge of playing in front of the home crowd. 2025 was a good year for me as I travelled extensively, competed in several tournaments, and played many higher-ranked players, which gave me valuable experience. It was also one of the first times I played back-to-back tournaments regularly, which helped me understand workload management better."

After last edition's heroics, Maaya has high expectations to live up to; however, she doesn't seem fazed by it. Heading into this year's tournament, she said, "I don't consider it as pressure. It's a privilege and an honour to be in my position where I get to represent my country, play to the best of my ability, and get as much experience under my belt as possible. I really enjoy being on court and playing tennis."

Looking ahead to her opening-round clash, Maaya emphasised her approach, saying, "My preparation pretty much remains the same against any opponent. It is more about my own game than worrying about the opponent. I'm at a stage in my career where I want to improve my skills and try to play as many high-intensity matches as possible."

Highlighting MSLTA's role in her journey, Maaya added, "Last year, in many ways, was the beginning of my journey at a senior level. Being a part of Mumbai Open is always an honour, and I'm grateful to MSLTA, Hon President Prashant Sutar sir, and Hon Secretary Sunder Iyer sir for their constant support to bring me back this year."

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
What a breath of fresh air! After Sania, we've been waiting for a consistent women's singles star. Her focus on her own game rather than the opponent shows great mental strength. Best of luck, beta! 🎾
V
Vikram M
Fantastic to see homegrown talent getting wild cards and support. MSLTA is doing a good job. But I hope the focus remains on long-term development and not just one tournament. The pressure on young athletes in India can be immense.
S
Sarah B
Watching her last year was incredible! The energy from the Mumbai crowd was something else. As an expat living here, it's events like these that really showcase the city's sporting spirit. All the best, Maaya!
R
Rohit P
Tough first round against the 5th seed, but that's the challenge. If she wants to be a top player, she has to beat these players. Her journey from qualifiers to semis last year was like a movie. Hope she scripts another chapter!
K
Kavya N
So nice to see her acknowledging the support from the association. Often that goes unnoticed. Wishing her all the luck. Hope DD Sports or someone broadcasts the matches properly this time!

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