If you even have a faint interest in tennis in India, you must have heard of Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi, the 15-year-old tennis sensation turning heads with her performance. She is easily the brightest prospect for tennis in the country and currently, she is training with some of the best mentors in the world, at the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy in Mallorca. Maaya has received a year-long full scholarship at the academy after exceeding expectations in the recently concluded Mumbai Open, a WTA (Women's Tennis Association) 125 event, which serves as a leaderboard to the main tour.  

Recently, a picture of her training under the watchful eyes of none other but the legend himself, Rafael Nadal, went viral. And so, if you don’t know much about her, educate yourself about India’s next big thing in Tennis. 

7 Things to Know About Maaya Rajeshwaran, the Indian Tennis Prodigy Who is Being Mentored by Rafael Nadal 

Maaya Started Preparing for a Professional Career at 10  

Maaya, born June 12, 2009, in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, began her tennis journey almost by accident. At eight years old, she picked up a racket as an after-school activity, soon revealing a remarkable talent. By the age of 10, she had dedicated herself to pursuing a professional career, first training under former Indian No. 1 KG Ramesh and later continuing her development at the Pro Serve Tennis Academy with coach Manoj Kumar. 

Major Breakthrough at the Mumbai Open 

Maaya made her debut on the international tennis stage at the L&T Mumbai Open 2025, a WTA 125 tournament held in February. She entered the tournament as a wildcard qualifier and surprised everyone by advancing to the semifinals, defeating players like Belarus' Iryna Shymanovich (ranked No. 225) and Kazakhstan's Zarina Diyas (a former top 50 player). Her performance earned her a WTA ranking of 646, making her the youngest Indian to achieve this milestone. 

Sabalenka Is Her Favourite Player 

Maaya's playing style—characterised by aggression, intensity, and resilience—draws significant inspiration from her idol Aryna Sabalenka. She has confessed in the past that she spends a lot of time watching Sabalenka's matches, and it actually reflects in Maaya's style. 

Success At Junior Level 

Maaya has had a great track record on the junior circuit. In 2023, she clinched five titles—four J60 events and one J100—underscoring her potential. That same year, she received an invitation to participate in the Australian Open 2023 Under-14 showcase. 

Sania Mirza is a Big Inspiration 

She holds a deep admiration for Sania Mirza, India's most prominent female tennis player, who once achieved a career-high ranking of 27. Maaya has expressed her aspiration to mirror Mirza's success, and her early rise suggests she is on the right path. 

100% Scholarship at Rafael Nadal Academy 

In a week-long training stint at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain, in 2024, Maaya left a great impression on the academy staff with her performance and in turn, received a year-long scholarship. She also had the opportunity to watch Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion practice during his farewell match in Davis Cup. 

Fueled By Supportive Family 

Her father, Rajeshwaran, is employed at Mondelez International (Cadbury), while her mother, Revathi is a homemaker. Both have been a steadfast supporter of her career. Rajeshwaran's commitment to her tennis career and Revathi's quiet strength provide Maaya with the motivation. Revathi moved with her daughter to Mallorca to support her as she trains at Rafa Nadal Academy.