#TFGInterview: My first priority will be tennis and it feels great when parents support your decision: Pranjala Yadlapalli

WHEN ONE HEARS OR READS ABOUT INDIAN TENNIS, there are a few names that come to mind, for example- Sania Mirza, Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi etc. These players have made it big in the international circuit. That said, in India, there are quite a few junior players who have been doing well in their circuit, but have not managed to grab the limelight for various reasons. 

Today, TFG caught up with one such emerging player who is yet to make a mark in the senior level but has taken the junior circuit by storm. 17-year-old Pranjala Yadlapalli had a rather colorful conversation after she ended as the runners-up at the singles event in the ITF Asia Junior Tennis Championship. On Friday, she clinched the runners-up trophy in the doubles category. 

"I'm not upset or disappointed with result as she (Xiyu Wang) played well today and I wasn't doing what I was supposed to. To be true, I was really tired. From past three-four days playing in the singles and doubles event was just too taxing and really couldn't move around the court that well."

Heading into this tournament the Guntur girl was without much practise as she had to appear for her 12th standard exams.

"Honestly, I didn't want to play in this tournament as I was going without practise and also the defending champion in both the categories but then I thought to myself that I need to have some game time as I will next play in the ITF Women's tournament in Egypt ($ 10,000 event, starts on 16th May)."

Pranjala has now gained 120 ITF points which will help her get into the top 50 rankings. But she wouldn't be seen playing at the upcoming French Open.

"I won't be playing at the French Open, I will be going to Egypt for the ITF Women's event and then maybe start preparing for the Wimbledon."

When asked if she preferred Wimbledon more than the other Grand Slams, she said,

"More than French Open, I want to play at Wimbledon. I really like the atmosphere and the crowd that this tournament pulls. I have a soft corner for Wimbledon. I enjoy playing on grass though I have no problem playing on clay. But European clay is different."

In tennis, every player can be vulnerable, but they try and better it with dedicated training sessions, Pranjala is no different. She said that before this tournament her movement was weak and also failed at returning the second service.

"I trained hard to get better at my movement and service. It was really weak and I had to get over it so with practising and the training sessions, I could slowly overcome it. It also helped me immensely in this tournament."

Everyone has a role model or inspiration that they look up to and so does Pranjala. In fact, she has two role models, Kim Clijsters and Roger Federer. And she actually had an encounter with the maestro himself. 

Last year at Wimbledon, she came across the 17-time Grand Slam winner and considers it as the best moments in her life.

"I got a chance to meet Federer and took pictures with him. It was a dream come true for me. It was such a great feeling as he was such a humble and nice person. There were so many junior players and others who wanted to click pictures with him and he humbly obliged."

She further added,

"After I had taken a picture with him, I asked for one more and he replied, 'Sure why not!' I actually couldn't speak much as I was too excited."

A fan-girl moment indeed!

She was at her modest best as she didn't want to single out any of her contemporary player as the toughest. She considers them all equally tough.

"Everyone is good in their own, I have actually not thought about it in those terms. You can't underestimate any one or term somebody that she is good. I mean if you think that way then you won't be able to play your game well. I just see to it that no matter who I play, all I have to do is give my best."

As any sportsman/woman would consider the sport they play as the top priority, Pranjala too boldly says it out loud that if she had to make a choice between studies or tennis, it would be tennis.

"My first priority is my sport, tennis. That is where my main focus lies. There is actually no much time to study. Now for my exams I didn't play tennis for two months. It becomes difficult as you cannot concentrate and give your best in studies and tennis as well. So I concentrate more on tennis."

Talking about her family, how her parents have been supportive till now in her journey, she said,

"They don't put any unnecessary pressure on me like you have to study or anything like that. Even now after my exams they were of the opinion that whether I pass or fail, it won't matter to them. Feels great when your parents support you in what you like."

The 17-year-old signed off by saying that she wants to get better and better each time she plays which will then help her reach her ultimate goal of being No. 1 in the women's singles circuit. She also didn't forget to thank her sponsor because of whom she can travel and play the tournaments.