Ankita Raina became the only third tennis woman player who secured a place on Sunday in Grand Slam main draw. According to reports, she will continue to play after the women's doubles event of the Australia Open.
The 28 year old got a direct entry when she signed up with Romania's Mihaela Buzarnecu after missing out on women's singles main draw. The Grand Slam is starting from Monday.
Earlier, only Sania Mirza and Nirupama Vaidyanathan were the only two tennis players who competed for Grand Slam main draws for India.
Sania Mirza has a legacy of a six time Grand Slam champion. Raina is the only woman after Mirza who to compete in women's doubles of a Tennis major.
After she got to know that her entry is confirmed, Ankita was quoted by PTI as, "It’s first main draw of a Grand Slam, so singles or doubles, I will take it. It’s special. Years of hard work, toil and now I am there. Not only my hard work but blessings and support of countless people have brought me here, I can’t forget that."
Raina added that India's name will be there in doubles and it sparks something and a few will dream that it's possible. “People start believing. We touch many small milestones but this one is at a pinnacle. Anyone who starts playing professional tennis, dreams of playing in a Grand Slam.”
“Regardless of the fact that it is doubles, I will take it. I kept at it. I stayed in the process. Maybe next time, I will play singles too. After years of hard work, it is starting with doubles but singles will happen. It’s first, so special,” Raina added.
According to reports, now India will have four Indians competing in the Grand Slam. While Sumit Nagal will compete in men's singles, Rohan Bopana and Divij Sharan will compete in men's doubles.