Mumbai trio’s talent student go wasted

They are products of a system that is not exactly tailor-made to produce champions, or even get close to that, even though all three are from the MSLTA (Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association) programme, which is producing some of the best talent in the country. These girls have to put in tremendous individual effort and not let a society largely indifferent to women in sport (with the odd exception), get to them.

If you talk to them, you would notice that not one of them says she is the best, or even really good. More importantly, each of these juniors is willing to learn constantly and wants to improve. Perhaps the best part is that not one of them will be satisfied with being top of the domestic circuit. Each one has big dreams and as is often said, that is a very good beginning to bigger things.

In addition to talent, Isha Lakhani, Megha Vakharia and Sonal Phadke are all about confidence and faith, assurance and immense self-belief. These qualities in themselves, are something special for Indian women’s tennis, starved of anything out of the ordinary since Nirupama Vaidyanathan became the first Indian woman to enter the main draw in a Grand Slam a couple of years ago.

All three girls train together and this togetherness seems to get them through match situations — whatever the result — better than most. When Sonal beat Isha in the semi-final on Wednesday, she talked to the younger girl while walking her back to her mother. Then, she seriously considered what made Megha tick when asked how she felt about how Megha has come up.

When Megha smiles if asked if she feels good about beating Sonal in the previous weeks, or when both Sonal and Megha look excited when you mention the possibility of a long-term on-court rivalry in the offing, you realise just how intensely involved they are in the game and in the others’ future.

Talking of the future, one thing needs to be said. While these teens have the attitude and the talent, they need more than a pat on the head or being sent out to ITF events as part of a team.

Solid sponsorship, perhaps from corporates, is the need of the hour, in addition to the All India Tennis Association support or smaller sponsorships of clothes or equipment. Nirupama has often talked of how difficult and expensive travelling on the pro Tour is. These girls need help and need it now. They are the young and the hopeful and where the future of Indian tennis lies.