Mumbai: Prarthana Thombare has come a long way already from a small town in Barshi, Solapur to Hyderabad to trade her skills with the cream of women's lawn tennis players in India. The 22-year-old straight speaking girl travelled many miles and sacrificed many a childhood memories to make it in a sport thought to be for the elite.
Now she will be fighting against the top women's doubles teams inclduing Wimbledon champions Williams sisters (Serena and Venus) to fight for glory at Rio Olympics partnering the queen of Indian tennis Sania Mirza.
Not only is she not taken aback by the gravity of the occassion but also promises to try and be the ideal partner for Sania in their quest for an Olympic medal.
Having taken partnering World No 1 Sania in her stride, she said.
"We will clash with big names but I am not afraid because I have world no 1 Sania next to me and I think I am really prepared for it," she remarked.
"There are lot of tough opponents. Serena and Venus together representing US and there is (Caroline) Garcia and (Kristina) Mladenovic (of France) who have recently won the French Open. But, I dont need to worry, I have world no 1 alongside, you cannot ask for any better I think."
Prarthana hasn't played much partnering Sania in tournaments but she isn't worried about it. "I practice at Sania's academy and her father (Imran Mirza) is my coach. We know each other well and know each other's game. We have also done practice together. She makes me feel so comfortable and relaxed on the court.
"We are together till July 30 in Hyderabad. It is enough time and I think we are reaching Rio on August 1 and our first match is on August 7, so we have one week to adapt to the conditions and practice there," she said. Prarthana was only two, when Leander Paes won bronze for India in the men's singles at Atlanta Olympics. He will be on same plane to Rio alongside her adding to her inspirations.
"The day Sania became world no 1 last year, that inspired me. Leander has been also an inspiration and he will be playing his seventh Olympics. I will be in inspirational company in my first Olympics" Prarthana signed off.
