PRACTICE makes it perfect, says a common adage. And, what better than actual match practice if one strives to get better in one’s preferred sport. With so many big and small tennis tournaments hosted in India, it offers the players with more opportunities to play international tournaments at much less cost and with an added home advantage. Zeel Desai, ranked 5th in women’s singles in India (9th in women’s doubles) and third seed at the ITF15K World Series Tournament underway in the city, vouches for the same. “With so many tournaments coming to India, we are getting more opportunities to play in bigger events and against higher-ranked players.

 

We are gaining great experience, and being on home ground, the support is also excellent. So, I think that’s an advantage for Indian tennis. I think Indian tennis is improving slowly. Compared to before, the level of all players has improved significantly,” said Zeel while talking to ‘The Hitavada’. Zeel wants the junior players to just concentrate on playing. “I think juniors in Indian tennis are also doing quite well; their performance is very good. With these tournaments happening in India, like the $15,000 events, they can perform well, earn points and improve their world ranking. This will give them a good chance to play in higher tournaments. For other upcoming players, I’d say just keep doing what you’re doing, and it will happen,”

 

Zeel kept it simple. Former retired top players taking to coaching setting up academies is a very positive move, reckons the Ahmedabad-based youngster, who had a career-high WTA singles ranking of 511, achieved in February 2024 and recently won an ITF W15 title in Gurugram in March 2026. “Sania (Mirza) is an exceptional player from our country; she is my idol. Recently, she has started coaching us, and we are training under her at the initiative called ‘The Next Set’. Other top and upcoming payers like Prarthana, Ankita, Vaidehi, Shrivalli and Vanshanti are training with me. That’s a great opportunity.

 

“She has so much experience, so it’s very helpful for us. Plus, we have a travelling coach, fitness coach, and physio available with us. It’s sponsored too, so it’s a great set-up. “Rohan sir (Bopanna) is also doing it in Bangalore (Rohan Bopanna Tennis Academy). If more former players come forward, it will be very helpful because there’s a small gap to reach the next level. Since they have already experienced that level, their guidance would be a huge help to us,” Zeel said. On her Nagpur connection, Zeel, who could not move past the semi-finals due to a shoulder injury, gets nostalgic. “This is my third time in Nagpur. All three times, I’ve had a good experience. I reached the semis the first time (and this time too). Again, the facilities, sponsors and everything — they are maintaining the courts very well. The ball boys, transportation, hotels — everything is wonderful. Having such facilities in a small city is great,” Zeel, who has played all four Grand Slams in the juniors (reached Australian Open quarter-finals), concluded.