Exclusive: Interview with India's newest Tennis sensation Rutuja Bhosale

16-year-old Rutuja Bhosale is one of the names to watch for in the Indian tennis horizon. The 16 year old is already ranked inside the top 800 in the WTA rankings and her season this year has been highlighted by two major successes – reaching the semi finals of the junior Australian Open girls doubles event and playing a crucial role in India’s promotion to the Fed Cup Asia Group 1.

Sportskeeda caught up with Rutuja for an exclusive interview.

Question – Can you tell us about how you got involved with the game of tennis?Rutuja – My father being a national athlete in track games wanted to put me in some individual sport so he chose Tennis as a hobby for me. And that is how I started with the sport.

Question – Where do you currently train and who is on your coaching team?

Rutuja – I currently train in Pune at the Deccan Gymkhanna. My coach is Sandeep Kirtane and we have some players there who play competitive tennis and some hitters that I train with.

Quesiton – Any plans to go overseas for training?

Rutuja – Yes. There were plans that had been made to go and train in Italy. But has been put on hold for now due to my Olympic training in Delhi and the junior Fed Cup Team tournament.

Question – When did you realize you wanted to be a professional tennis player?

Rutuja – When I was 12 years old, my mother and father spoke to me about it. That was when I decided to choose tennis as my career.

Question – You are one of the few players to play with spectacles? Any plans to have your vision corrected through surgery?

Rutuja – No, I don’t want to have surgery done because I am fond of my spectacles. I get to wear different kind of colours and types, and it is kind of my signature.

Question – As a young junior player from India trying to make it on the professional tour, what are the biggest obstacles you face?

Rutuja – I think to make it on the professional tour, I need only one thing in my game and that is to be mentally tough. I think if I do that I will be a much better player overall as I have the game to make it to the top 10. And also financial support at the right time is required.

Question – This year, you have had two big successes– reaching the doubles semi finals of the Australian Open juniors and being part of the successful Fed Cup campaign. Can you tell us about both the experiences?

Rutuja – As the Australian open was my 1st grand slam, I really wanted to do well in the singles but I lost early. But I had to do well in doubles and that was the only thing in my mind. I think seeing the pro players playing live, seeing them interact with us junior players – it was the most amazing experience as I got to know many important things that will help me in my career.

Fed Cup was also like a dream come true as I have always wanted to play for India but I never thought it would be at such a young age. I played on all the days of the tournament. It was amazing how the players and the coaches showed faith in me saying that I could win. Staying with Sania, interacting with her was also very nice and she treated me really well. Overall playing for India is the most amazing feeling I have ever had in my life and I hope to play for India as long as possible and make my country proud.

Question – Who was your tennis role model while growing up? From the current lot, who are your favourite players?

My role model was Venus Williams as she is aggressive on court and likes to dominate the points. From the current lot, I like Djokovic as he is so athletic and one of the biggest fighters on the tour. He is also one of the nicest players I have spoken to.

Question – What are your goals for the 2012 season? What are your career ambitions?

Rutuja – My goals for 2012 are to to get in into the top 20 junior rankings and play all the junior grand slams. My ambition is to become world no. 1.

Question – Why have you skipped the current ITF events in Aurangabad and Mumbai? What tournaments have you lined up in your schedule in the coming months?

Rutuja – I could not play those events since I was playing some junior tournaments in Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippinnes which were on the same dates.

Question – What are the strengths in your game and what are the areas you are working on to develop?

Rutuja – My strength is my forehand as I like to dominate with it. And I am working to improve my second serve.

Question -India has not had a top women’s player after Sania Mirza. What do you think is the reason for that?

Rutuja – I think it is due to the lack of exposure. Many players turn towards studies. Also it could be due to the lack of financial support.

Question – What impact has the success of Sania Mirza on the international scene had on you specifically and Indian tennis in general?

Rutuja – Sania is doing really well and seeing her doing well, it has pumped me up to do well and become a legend like her and after her. Players are taking the sport more seriously now and they are trying their best to do well.

Question – Finally, how do you spend your time off the court when you are not playing tennis or training?

Rutuja – I like sleeping a lot so I sleep most of the time or I go out with my school friends or family for something fun like movies, dinner.