Maaya Rajeshwaran’s Breakthrough at the Mumbai Open 2025
For Maaya Rajeshwaran, participating in the Mumbai Open 2025 marked a pivotal moment in her career. At the young age of 15, she made her debut on the WTA tour, achieving a milestone not reached by any Indian woman since Sania Mirza in 2005—qualifying for the semi-finals of a WTA event held in her home country. Transitioning from an unranked player to a position within the top 700, Maaya became the youngest among active players to achieve this ranking.
Despite having never competed against a top-300 player prior to this event, Maaya elevated her performance to outmatch higher-ranked opponents leading up to the semi-finals. Her stellar run concluded with a defeat against Jil Teichmann, a former world No. 21, who won in straight sets. Currently ranked No. 646, Maaya has made remarkable progress toward solidifying her place in professional tennis.
Following her outstanding performance, Maaya secured a training position at the Rafael Nadal Academy, where she practiced alongside Alexandra Eala from the Philippines. Eala recently had a remarkable victory over three Grand Slam champions consecutively at the Miami Open. While training at the academy, Maaya also had the opportunity to practice under the supervision of Rafael Nadal himself and learn from his former coach, Toni Nadal.
Highlights of Maaya Rajeshwaran’s Performance at the Mumbai Open
Qualifiers:
Round 1: Defeated Nicole Fossa Huergo – World No. 264 (Italy) 6-3, 3-6, 6-0
Round 2: Defeated Jessica Failla – World No. 434 (USA) 7-6 (9), 1-6, 6-4
Main Draw:
Round 1: Defeated Iryna Shymanovich – World No. 225 (Belarus) 6-4, 6-1
Round 2: Defeated Zarina Diyas – World No. 353 (Kazakhstan) 6-3, 3-2 (retired)
Quarter-final: Defeated Mei Yamaguchi – World No. 285 (Japan) 6-4, 3-6, 6-2
Semi-final: Lost to Jil Teichmann – World No. 117 (Switzerland) 3-6, 1-6
In an exclusive interview with India Today Digital, Maaya shared her incredible journey during the Mumbai Open, as well as her experiences training at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca. Originally from Coimbatore, the young talent expressed her ambitions of becoming World No. 1 and securing Grand Slam titles in the future.
Insights from Maaya Rajeshwaran’s Interview
Maaya reflected on her unexpected wildcard entry into the event, underscoring her gratitude for the opportunity. Initially, she aimed to qualify rather than win matches. Her breakthrough moments in the qualifiers, especially the final qualifying match, were highlights in her journey. She acknowledged the competitive nature of her sport, appreciating the attention she garnered with each success.
Furthermore, the young athlete expressed her excitement over receiving encouragement from tennis legends like Rohan Bopanna and Billie Jean King. Their compliments served as significant motivation for her. Maaya also shared how her initial interest in tennis transformed from a casual pursuit to a professional ambition, largely fueled by her supportive parents, particularly her father’s influence on her decision to pursue the sport seriously.
She aspires not only to strive for individual accolades but also to contribute positively to the sport, inspired by figures like Sania Mirza. As she trains at an elite academy known for producing champion players, Maaya recognizes the global evolution of tennis talent, including young successes like Mirra Andreeva, who serve as proof that young players can rise to prominence in a demanding sport.
