New Delhi, April 11 (NationPress) Aishi Das from New Zealand acknowledged that she “complicated things” for herself while facing India’s Vaishnavi Adkar in the Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group I match this week. Despite not performing at her peak, she drew strength from her competitive spirit.

During the tie at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association Complex on Wednesday, Adkar, in her second competition appearance, achieved a decisive 6-2, 6-4 victory, paving the way for India’s comeback win against New Zealand.

The 21-year-old Indian player started off strong, quickly establishing a 2-0 lead in the first set with an early break, followed by another break in the fifth game, which allowed her to comfortably close out the set. She maintained her momentum into the second set, breaking early again, although Aishi fought back to level at 4-4. However, Adkar elevated her game during critical moments to clinch the match in straight sets.

Reflecting on her performance, Aishi emphasized that adhering to her routines helped her remain engaged in the match despite the early setback.

“I focus on my routines, which typically assist me. Consistency in my gameplay is key, and having a coach by my side is beneficial. This was the main reason I managed to keep myself in contention. By concentrating on my routines and giving my all, I hoped to improve towards the end. Adkar played exceptionally well, making it challenging for me,” Aishi shared with IANS.

Aishi also discussed the pressure of representing New Zealand on an international stage, noting that the supportive team environment helped her manage expectations.

“Playing for your country inevitably comes with pressure. The team environment was incredibly supportive this week, knowing they were cheering for me from the sidelines was a huge help. However, when I step onto the court, I try not to let those thoughts overwhelm me. Instead, I focus on my routines and stick to my strengths,” she remarked.

Despite the loss, the Indian-origin athlete found positives in her ability to compete against a formidable opponent who had bounced back strongly after an earlier defeat.

“Facing such a well-developed player, I felt I wasn’t at my best. Yet, realizing I could still stay competitive against her boosted my confidence. Even when I wasn’t playing well, I had opportunities to stay close. I knew I had to adapt since the first set concluded so quickly,” Aishi explained.

Looking forward, Aishi highlighted her immediate goals of gaining experience and improving her ranking as she transitions to the senior circuit.

“I don’t have a specific target yet, as I’ve just moved into the senior level. My main focus is to participate in as many tournaments as possible to improve my ranking. I’ll be starting university in August, so I plan to play extensively until then. I’m interested in both singles and doubles, but I’ll likely lean more towards singles,” she concluded.

In light of her tough contest against Vaishnavi Adkar, how do you usually maintain focus and attempt to turn matches around when you face early challenges?

“I stick to my routines, which generally aid me. Maintaining consistency in my gameplay is crucial, and having a coach on the sidelines supports that. This focus allowed me to have a fighting chance, even against a strong opponent.”

When representing New Zealand in prestigious events like the Billie Jean King Cup, how do you balance team expectations with your personal objectives?

“There’s always some pressure when playing for your country. The supportive team environment was particularly helpful this week. Knowing they were cheering for me was reassuring. However, I try to focus more on my routines and what I excel at.”

Facing a resilient competitor like Vaishnavi Adkar, what lessons will you carry forward from this match?

“Given her high skill level, I felt I wasn’t performing my best. Still, being able to compete with her improved my confidence. I realized I needed to adjust my strategy since the first set was over so quickly.”

At this stage in your career, what are your primary goals for your international tennis journey?

“I wouldn’t say I have fixed goals yet, as I’ve just transitioned into the senior level. My focus is on playing in numerous tournaments to elevate my ranking. I have university starting in August, so I aim to participate in as many events as possible until then. I see myself engaging in both singles and doubles, leaning slightly more towards singles,” she added.