A 13-year-old with 55 tennis titles to her credit, Ahmedabad-based Zeel Desai walks, talks and slogs tennis. Zeel is just back from Mumbai after winning the Under-14 singles on May 18 which comes on the back of a grand double in the previous week — bagging the singles and doubles titles in the ATF Asian U-14 tournament in Pune. “It was a valuable learning experience for me. I am determined to win the Junior Grand Slam 2016 when I will be fully ready,’’ says this young go-getter.
A typical day of this class IX student of the HB Kapadia New High School, Ahmedabad, begins at 9 a.m. with a three-hour practice session under the watchful eye of coach Jignesh Raval. Back home for lunch and some rest, she is back at the courts at 3.30 p.m, for another two-hour workout followed by an hour of fitness training. Some rest and leisure moments and it’s early to bed. “School is closed for the summer vacations, otherwise afternoon practice is deferred to the evenings. Plus there’s a lot of travel and playing in tournaments across the country. I am very grateful to my principal Muktak Kapadia and teachers for helping me catch up with the classes missed when I’m on tour,” acknowledges Zeel.
Zeel who took to the racquet sport at age six and won her first Under-14 national title when nine, is also fortunate to train at the Ahmedabad Racquets Academy established by her coach in 2011. Raval is an international coach with 14 years experience in 35 countries and also served with the Van de Meer Academy, USA, routinely ranked among the top 25 tennis academies of the world.
Currently # 3 among junior (Under-14) girls, Zeel has also attracted the attention of Lakshya, a Pune-based NGO which sponsors advanced training for promising sportspersons. Under the aegis of Lakshya, Zeel has had the benefit of being trained by Vece Paes, father and coach of India’s durable Davis Cup star Leander Paes. Lakshya also subsidises her travel expenses. “With the support of Lakshya, we are confident of obtaining sponsorships for Zeel who now needs to acquire inter-national play experience,’’ says her doting father Mehul, an Ahmedabad-based business executive.
Power to your racquet!
R.K. Misra (Gandhinagar)
