Billie Jean King Cup: After losing their tie against Thailand 2-1, the Indian team bounced back strongly in their next encounter against New Zealand. Vaishnavi Adkar set the tone with a commanding performance, defeating young Aishi Das in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4, to give India an early lead in the tie.
Adkar had earlier struggled in the last game against Thailand's Anchisa Chanta. However, against Aishi, the youngster looked more promising. Speaking about her win after the match, Adkar admitted that the nerves played a big role in her performance in the game, and she quickly learnt from her experience against Achinsa and rectified the areas.
"It was my first match in the Billie Jean King Cup, so I was definitely very nervous. I didn't handle my nerves
well, but it was a learning experience. Today, I just focused on what I do best and went out there to give my best," she said.
Adkar Stressses On The Importance Of Self Belief
Vaishnavi highlighted the importance of self-belief in a major tournament like the Billie Jean King Cup. Reflecting on the team discussions after the loss against Thailand, Adkar highlighted the importance of self-belief in such a major tournament. "The captain and my coach told me to trust my abilities. I know I have the game, so it was about focusing on things within my control," she said.
The Indian tennis player also stressed the importance of adapting to the conditions, which came to play a major role in the match,h as it has been windy and cloudy in the national capital for the past two days. "The weather has been fluctuating, which makes it tough, but as players, we are used to adjusting. Whoever adapts better performs better. " She also acknowledged the challenges posed by scheduling delays. "It does affect preparation when matches are delayed, but you have to adapt and focus on recovery. "
What Does The Win Mean For Her?
On winning the first game of the tournament, Adkar said that she had been rewinding this moment for many years in the past. "Being part of the playing five and getting a win at home feels really special, especially with the crowd support," she added.
Looking ahead, she emphasized a step-by-step approach. "We'll take it one match at a time. The goal is to keep fighting till the last point because we are playing for the country. "
Summing up the performance, the youngster concluded that it was important for her to start things on a positive note for the team so that other players can get that mental cushion heading into their respective games.
