Loving it

She is ranked ninth in Maharashtra in the girls under 14 (U-14) despite this being her first year in that age group. At the national level in that category, 13-year-old Anaiya Kaka currently stands at 48, as per All India Tennis Association (AITA) rankings. "Last year Anaiya was ranked 35 in the country in the girls U-12,” says her mother Azmin. In June Anaiya was the winner in girls U-14 at the Pimpri Chinchwad All India Championship Series Poona and the runner-up in doubles in the girls U-16. At the All India Championship Series Sholapur in the same month Anaiya was the runner-up in girls doubles and semi-finalist in singles in the U-14 group.

Anaiya Kaka: enjoying competitive tennis

"I started tennis as a normal recreational player without any aspirations or expectations. As I grew older I became passionate about the game and started building goals for myself,” says the schoolgirl who is in the seventh standard at the Cathedral and John Connon School in Bombay. "I soon realized that tennis is not only all about winning and I experienced some hard losses too.” Anaiya trains at the Bombay Gymkhana under coach Vijayendra Laad from the Mahesh Bhupathi Tennis Academy. Mrinal Roy looks after her fitness regimen. "I always try and play my best under the constant guidance of my coach who helps me stay positive even after a severe loss. My mother always tells me aim for the moon; even if you don’t reach it you will be among the stars. I know I always have the support of my mom and dad Noshir who stand rock solid behind me.”
Tournaments and travel go side by side with school and studies. At the D. Y. Patil Sports Academy All India Championship Series in February she was runner-up in doubles in U-14 and a semi finalist in singles in the same category at the All India Talent Series Practennis Mumbai a month earlier. At the Willingdon Sports Club Tennis Memorial Tournament 2013 she won the singles in the U-14, U-16 and ladies open groups. The Baseline Bombers All India Championship Series Poona, the EMMTC All India Ranking Talent Series Tennis Tournament Aurangabad, the AITA Tennis Center of Excellence All India Ranking Talent Series Tennis Tournament at Kalina, Bombay, etc are on her roster of achievements. "Managing school is pretty tough but my teachers have been very supportive and always explain what I have missed. My headmistress Ms Bhattacharya has been extremely encouraging. Sometimes I work late into the night trying to finish homework and assignments. It is very hard to balance school and sports but I love my tennis and would not exchange it for the world. To me life is not about waiting for the storm to pass but it is about learning how to dance in the rain,” Anaiya lobs it straight and true.