Mumbai, Feb 6 (NationPress) Third seed Leolia Jeanjean asserts that Indian female tennis players possess the talent and potential to confront top-tier competitors, as she advanced to the quarterfinals of the Mumbai Open WTA 125K Series at the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) courts on Friday.

Ranked No. 115 globally, the French athlete, who is relishing a promising start to her 2026 season, commended the depth of talent in Indian women’s tennis after her singles debut against India’s Vaishnavi Adkar.

“I believe India has exceptionally skilled players. Last year, I faced Sahaja Yamalapalli, and she was impressive. Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi also shows remarkable potential. The level of tennis is notably high. They are capable of competing against anyone here and emerging victorious,” Jeanjean remarked.

The 30-year-old emphasized that increased international exposure could enhance the consistency of Indian players. “Perhaps they simply need to participate in more tournaments to achieve greater consistency at this level,” she pointed out.

In addition to her singles play, Jeanjean is also participating in the doubles category alongside Switzerland’s Naima Karamoko, and she expressed satisfaction with her performances to date in Mumbai.

“I have had two excellent matches. A few days ago marked my first victory of the season, which has made me quite happy. The conditions are favorable, the people are welcoming, and the organization is commendable. It has been a fantastic experience thus far,” she stated.

Jeanjean has steadily improved her ranking over the past few seasons, having competed in the main draws of prestigious tournaments like the French Open, US Open, and Australian Open. One of the standout moments in her career took place at the 2022 French Open, where she reached the third round and secured her first win against a top-10 player by defeating Karolina Pliskova.

However, Jeanjean's journey has not been devoid of obstacles. A severe knee injury at 15 compelled her to step back from professional tennis for several years. Following surgery, she relocated to the United States to compete in collegiate tennis before rejoining the professional circuit full-time at 25.

Looking forward, Jeanjean stated that maintaining consistency and a strong mindset are her primary goals. “The objective is to become more consistent in these tournaments, aiming to break into the top 70. It’s a challenging endeavor, so the key is to maintain a positive mindset, stay upbeat on the court, and enjoy the journey,” she expressed.