IN A sport where a tough match may run into hours, apart from physical fitness, mental health is also very important, feels young Russian player Ekaterina Khodzhaeva who is in the city to participate in the ITF 15K Women’s World Tennis Tour at the NDHTA courts in Ramnagar. After winning two qualifying rounds of singles event on first two days, Ekaterina has qualified for the main draw and will also be taking part in the doubles partnering Emma Van Poppel of the Netherlands. In a brief interaction with ‘The Hitavada’ on Monday evening, Ekaterina stressed on being physically fit as well as mentally sound. “I strongly feel that mental fitness is the most important thing for girls. It may not be that important for boys but for girls they must have a sound mental health. I always try to be more mature and follow Elena Rybakina (Russian-born Kazakhstani professional tennis player) who is mentally very strong,” said a well-built 17-year-old Ekaterina who will play wild card entrant Indian Aakruti Sonkusare in the first round on Tuesday. Ekaterina finds the Ramnagar courts to her liking.

 

“Though it is hot here as I come from a colder place, the surface here is very good. My preferred surface is clay. I mostly train on hard courts back home but clay suits to my style of play. I played good tennis to win two matches against Indian players (in the qualifying rounds) and hope to do better and better as the tournament progresses,” said Ekaterina who wants to take it match by match in the main draw. On her strengths, Ekaterina says, “I run and slide very well. I play backhand down the line shot well and am good at drop shots.” Among present generation of players, Ekaterina likes Carlos Alcaraz. “Alcaraz is my favourite player. On girls’ side, I do not see any as an idol but I like (Aryna) Sabalenka. Among older ones, I like Steffi Graf and Maria Sharapova who was from my country,” said Ekaterina. This is Ekaterina’s, who travels mostly with her mother and sometimes with coach, first visit to India and she is already liking the country. “I have played a lot in Europe and other parts of Asia but this is my first trip to India. It’s a good country. People around are quite kind. I like Indian rice very much. It is much better than what we get back home. I love the rice with chicken and a lot of vegetables,” Ekaterina, who will next play China 45k next, signed off.