Ankita Raina became the only third tennis woman playerwho secured a place on Sunday in Grand Slam main draw. According to reports,she will continue to play after the women's doubles event of the AustraliaOpen.
The 28 year old got a direct entry when she signed upwith Romania's Mihaela Buzarnecu after missing out on women's singles maindraw. The Grand Slam is starting from Monday.
Earlier, only Sania Mirza and Nirupama Vaidyanathan werethe only two tennis players who competed for Grand Slam main draws for India.
Sania Mirza has a legacy of a six time Grand Slamchampion. Raina is the only woman after Mirza who to compete in women's doublesof a Tennis major.
After she got to know that her entry is confirmed, Ankitawas quoted by PTI as, "It’s first main draw of a Grand Slam, so singles ordoubles, I will take it. It’s special. Years of hard work, toil and now I amthere. Not only my hard work but blessings and support of countless people havebrought me here, I can’t forget that."
Raina added that India's name will be there in doublesand it sparks something and a few will dream that it's possible. “People startbelieving. We touch many small milestones but this one is at a pinnacle. Anyonewho starts playing professional tennis, dreams of playing in a Grand Slam.”
“Regardless of the fact that it is doubles, I will takeit. I kept at it. I stayed in the process. Maybe next time, I will play singlestoo. After years of hard work, it is starting with doubles but singles willhappen. It’s first, so special,” Raina added.
According to reports, now India will have four Indianscompeting in the Grand Slam. While Sumit Nagal will compete in men's singles,Rohan Bopana and Divij Sharan will compete in men's doubles.