Newly-appointed junior world No 1, Tasneem Mir knows she will face defeat in the senior circuit, which is fraught with challenges, as she is determined to achieve her long-term goal of representing India at the Olympics.
On Wednesday, a 16-year-old woman from Gujarat became the first Indian to top the U-19 girls’ singles singles rank.
“It is a big confidence booster for me. Just like I became the world number one in Under-19s, I want to continue that performance in seniors as well,” said Tasneem, who is currently ranked 602 in seniors Said at a virtual press-conference organized by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) on Sunday.
“My long-term goal is to improve my ranking even among seniors, so that I can participate in the Olympics and represent India. So my main aim is to play as many senior tournaments as possible and do well in them so that my ranking can improve.
Tasneem’s rise to the top of the junior circuit has raised hopes that India may eventually find a successor to such players. Saina Nehwal And PV Sindhu,
“There is a lot of competition at the Indian level. In India Open we have seen Malvika (Bansod) and Ashmita (Chaliha), Akarshi (Kashyap), they are doing well.
He said, ‘I feel the pressure and responsibility that the whole country has high expectations from me. Of course I will try to improve myself and live up to the expectations.
Korea’s An Seong has emerged as one of the most sensational talents in the senior circuit over the years. Asked if she would like to make a similar debut like the 19-year-old Korean, Tasneem said: “A Seyong performance is incredible and it will be hard to emulate and I want to perform like her, but it will take time.”
Tasneem has only been sensational last year as she won titles in three junior international tournaments and jumped three places to top the junior world rankings. However, he says he needs to learn to deal with setbacks once he graduates in the senior circuit.
He said, ‘When I used to lose matches, I used to think that I will not be able to do this. If I had given up, I would not have reached this point.”
“I don’t like to lose. In the last 2-3 years I have been winning and I am doing well but as soon as I step into the seniors circuit, I am facing losses. So I think it is a lot. It’s tough. So I used to think of giving up at first but then I think I will improve more from these failures.
Talking about her training, Tasneem said: “I left training under my father six years ago. For two years, I was at the Gopichand Academy and then moved to Assam, where I have been training under Edwin Iriyawan for the past four years.
“My coach has coached Saina and Sindhu, they are very experienced. So his training regime has helped me a lot. I have grown as a player, I have improved my strength.
“There are a lot of male players out there, so I could train against them. It’s been a good training stint in Assam.”