 "Maaya Rajeshwaran in action during the WTA Mumbai Open. Image: WTA")
Swiss tennis star Jil Teichmann has praised 15-year-old Maaya Revathi Rajeshwaran after facing her in the semi-final of the WTA L&T 125 Mumbai Open on Saturday. Teichmann, who went on to win the final against Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew, was full of admiration for the young Indian talent after defeating her in straight sets to reach the final.
Teichmann heaps big praise on Maaya
In an interview following the match on 8 February, Teichmann reflected on her encounter with Rajeshwaran and shared her thoughts on the Indian teen’s potential.
The Swiss player, ranked as high as No. 21 in the world, was asked about the teen tennis sensation’s impressive performance at the tournament, where Maaya had already made an impact. Teichmann admitted that she didn’t know Rajeshwaran before the match but was clearly impressed by her game.
“Definitely. I didn’t know her before this tournament. She had a great run. I told her at the net to keep going. She has a good, powerful game, and she will have a bright future,” Teichmann said.
Teichmann also provided insights into the match, recalling how Rajeshwaran fought well during key moments. However, the Swiss star managed to close the game within 68 minutes with a 6-3, 6-1 scoreline.
“Yes, for sure. The conditions are heavy here, and the ball gets bigger after four or five games. It changes the whole match. I knew the game would change, and I was observing what she was doing and what I needed to do. That hold at 5-2 (or the break, I’m not sure which it was) was very important to keep the distance. And then, after that, the new balls also make a big difference,” she added.
Maaya Rajeshwaran’s performance against a pro like Jil Teichmann has put her on the radar as one of India’s most exciting young tennis talents. The Indian player has even earned a yearlong contract to train at the iconic Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain.